as in to distract
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
according to police, the suspect had been derailed in recent months by mounting financial problems
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Recent Examples of derail
Despite Aaron Judge having another MVP-caliber season, the Yankees' season has derailed.
—
Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 July 2025
But the spiraling costs to develop affordable housing, President Donald Trump’s efforts to gut federal housing aid and other obstacles may derail his goals.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 4 July 2025
Now, his cruelty is derailing him, writes columnist Gustavo Arellano.
—Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2025
The name of the school Swaggart had founded was changed to World Evangelism Bible College.
Willis, who now serves as pastor of Crystal Hill Assembly of God in North Little Rock, said Swaggart derailed everything.
—Frank E. Lockwood, Arkansas Online, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for derail
Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 July 2025
But the spiraling costs to develop affordable housing, President Donald Trump’s efforts to gut federal housing aid and other obstacles may derail his goals.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 4 July 2025
Now, his cruelty is derailing him, writes columnist Gustavo Arellano.
—Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2025
The name of the school Swaggart had founded was changed to World Evangelism Bible College.
Willis, who now serves as pastor of Crystal Hill Assembly of God in North Little Rock, said Swaggart derailed everything.
—Frank E. Lockwood, Arkansas Online, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for derail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derail
Verb
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The president’s critics, meanwhile, accuse him of using the scandal to distract from stalled reforms and growing public dissatisfaction.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2025
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While the housing bill got lost among numerous priorities during this year’s legislative session, top leaders are now laser-focused on the issue and will not be distracted.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
30 June 2025
Verb
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However, infrared videography can help record what’s going on on the beach without disturbing the turtles or crabs.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
10 July 2025
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The first beaver to be released in this project was trapped at Arlington Wildlife Area along the Gila River after causing land management issues, like clogging pipes and disturbing irrigation infrastructure.—
John Leos,
AZCentral.com,
8 July 2025
Verb
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While notification bundles were an option before, they were primarily used for messaging, and not all developers bothered.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 June 2025
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If Waldron wasn’t battered, then Phillies starter Zack Wheeler was hardly bothered.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 June 2025
Verb
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When Test Track officially opens on July 22, guests will not have to worry about virtual queues.—
Megan duBois,
Southern Living,
7 July 2025
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On account of its relative remoteness--sat between Scotland 200 miles to the south and Iceland 400 miles to the north--the Faroe Islands hasn’t had to worry about over-tourism too much.—
Brad Japhe,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
Verb
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The apostles are alarmed, but Jesus understands his destiny is coming.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
30 June 2025
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The entire affair—the opening, the closing, the paranoia, and then the alarming news of a shooting (which was unrelated and, thankfully, nonfatal)—could be easily put down to the vagaries of big-city life.—
Emma Sarappo,
The Atlantic,
25 June 2025
Verb
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The report was issued Tuesday at 12:51 a.m., and the last update concerning this incident was provided on Tuesday at 12:53 a.m.—
Kansas City Star Bot
Updated July 1,
Kansas City Star,
1 July 2025
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As far as the luxury tax is concerned, deferred money is discounted annually during the term of the contract.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
1 July 2025
Verb
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Their love is reignited in the most unlikely form, but not everyone welcomes her return—especially March’s family, still unsettled by a ghostly presence that appeared after a factory worker’s death forced their business to close.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
1 July 2025
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The chaotic shuttering of USAID by Trump and Elon Musk and the still unfolding humanitarian fallout in several African countries has unsettled many.—
Yinka Adegoke,
semafor.com,
27 June 2025
Verb
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Both robots have the same vacuum brush roll design, incorporating rubber fins and bristles to effectively agitate dirt on multiple flooring surfaces while keeping themselves clear of hair tangles.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
9 July 2025
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Avoid doing anything to heat or agitate plastic, so quit putting plastic containers in the microwave and kiddie cups in the dishwasher.—
Annie Lowrey,
The Atlantic,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Derail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derail. Accessed 17 Jul. 2025.
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