as in distracts
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 derails
But after a cyclone derails a sailing trip, Callista becomes stranded on an island for over a year — alongside Darren's ex-army medic cousin, Dominic.
—
Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
The Iran war is fundamentally reshaping the oil industry, as geopolitical volatility rattles traders and derails expectations of a Middle East drilling boom.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Fifth derails Burrows For four innings, Burrows resembled the pitcher the Astros saw all spring.
—Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 19 Apr. 2026
Since tomorrow is never promised, many Americans who put off planning could face a health care emergency that derails their travel, leisure and other retirement plans, advisers said.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2026
Then the studio structured trailers and marketing around an unspecified, unspeakable disclosure by Zendaya’s character that derails the wedding plans (and imperils the characters’ romantic union) to stoke maximum curiosity.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2026
Women’s Health Network notes that hormonal fluctuations trigger cortisol release that actively derails the circadian sleep cycle, and women in this transition are more vulnerable to adrenal stress responses than at any other life stage.
—Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2026
Hormonal fluctuations trigger cortisol release that derails the normal circadian sleep cycle, and women in this transition are more vulnerable to adrenal stress responses.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026
His relationship with his young son is profoundly altered by an unexpected encounter that derails his work and his sense of purpose.
—Alexandra Zagalsky, TheWeek, 4 Mar. 2026
Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
The Iran war is fundamentally reshaping the oil industry, as geopolitical volatility rattles traders and derails expectations of a Middle East drilling boom.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Fifth derails Burrows For four innings, Burrows resembled the pitcher the Astros saw all spring.
—Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 19 Apr. 2026
Since tomorrow is never promised, many Americans who put off planning could face a health care emergency that derails their travel, leisure and other retirement plans, advisers said.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2026
Then the studio structured trailers and marketing around an unspecified, unspeakable disclosure by Zendaya’s character that derails the wedding plans (and imperils the characters’ romantic union) to stoke maximum curiosity.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2026
Women’s Health Network notes that hormonal fluctuations trigger cortisol release that actively derails the circadian sleep cycle, and women in this transition are more vulnerable to adrenal stress responses than at any other life stage.
—Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2026
Hormonal fluctuations trigger cortisol release that derails the normal circadian sleep cycle, and women in this transition are more vulnerable to adrenal stress responses.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026
His relationship with his young son is profoundly altered by an unexpected encounter that derails his work and his sense of purpose.
—Alexandra Zagalsky, TheWeek, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derails
Verb
-
Mother’s explosion distracts Blaine and frees Sam.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
22 May 2026
-
In my view, platforming these young men and sensationalizing their behaviors, rather than recognizing those behaviors as signs of psychological distress, distracts from the urgent need to address these serious mental health concerns.—
Jordyn Tovey,
The Conversation,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
The idea that there can be any kind of misalignment between them, though, disturbs her.—
Cressida Leyshon,
New Yorker,
24 May 2026
-
The worms thrash and move erratically with a snake-like motion that disturbs the topsoil.—
Maria Braganini,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Shields added at the time that she's learned to speak up when something bothers her rather than assuming her spouse can read her mind.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
27 May 2026
-
The programmer's rhythm is broken repeatedly, and the cumulative delay between intent and result is longer than anyone bothers to measure.—
Russ Bukowski,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Verb
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Europe now openly worries about deindustrialization, supply-chain fragility, and excessive dependence on external manufacturing ecosystems.—
W. Gyude Moore,
semafor.com,
25 May 2026
-
And Westphal still worries about rolling power outages, which are all too common when the temperature gets too high.—
Scott Horsley,
NPR,
23 May 2026
Verb
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Set in 1986, the story follows two brothers, Irwin and Gary Pearl, whose get-rich scheme to help clean up the Gowanus Canal ends in disaster after Irwin (Teller), a nebbish family man, angers Russian mobsters by unwittingly witnessing their criminal activity.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
17 May 2026
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LaCava said the change seems like another city policy that angers many residents without major impact.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The focal point of escalating concern is oldest son Jeremy (Edik Beddoes) whose increasingly erratic behavior alarms those around him, not only for his safety but others as well.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
7 May 2026
-
Whether that future excites or alarms fans, the law—not nostalgia or tradition—will determine who suits up in March.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But Kadous says that users are also asking Ansari to help guide them through difficult times, which concerns him, because the questions would be better directed at an imam or another community member.—
Andrew R. Chow,
Time,
26 May 2026
-
Nothing like that ever concerns me.—
Jack Crosbie,
Rolling Stone,
26 May 2026
Verb
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Her healing skills soon prove invaluable, but her wild, curious nature unsettles the monks as an evil count threatens to destroy anyone who dares protect her.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
19 May 2026
-
His decision to pull out of the house sales upends an entire property chain, as his manipulative nature unsettles those around him.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Derails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derails. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
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