sidetrack

verb

Definition of sidetracknext
as in to deviate

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sidetrack Some unnecessary, overlong scenes do drag, allowing the audience to get sidetracked. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 6 May 2026 Stripe co-founder and president John Collison told CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin on Tuesday that the company isn’t yet aiming for an IPO, which would sidetrack its current product and business growth. — Samantha Subin, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2026 Three consecutive presidencies have been sidetracked by immigration-policy overreach. — Nick Miroff, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2026 The moon’s clash with Mars threatens to sidetrack you. — Usa Today, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sidetrack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sidetrack
  1. deviate
  2. avert
  3. divert
  4. deflect
  5. redirect
  6. move
  7. swerve
  8. shift
Verb
  • Palm Aire residents Wayne Oken and Richard Hosford say the plan deviates from what was originally promised when the development was first unveiled.
    — Joan Murray, CBS News, 30 July 2026
  • Practicing deviating from our defaults, no matter how mundane, prepares us to deviate again, even in higher stakes contexts.
    — Nell Derick Debevoise Dewey, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of deviate
Verb
  • Numerous governments across Central and Eastern Europe are taking steps to conserve electricity and avert an energy crisis as record low water levels on the Danube River have forced power plants to the brink of shutting down.
    — Justin Spike, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026
  • One source said Netanyahu is highly skeptical that Hamas intends to disarm and believes instead that group is using the framework to buy time and avert another Israeli military campaign.
    — Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of avert
Verb
  • The strong winds forced a small plane ​carrying two Peruvian tourists and another aircraft carrying six foreign visitors to divert to the Marcona Airport, according ​to local media.
    — Joe Kottke, NBC news, 2 Aug. 2026
  • All northbound traffic on the Dan Ryan was being diverted off the expressway at 67th Street in both the local and express lanes for several hours after the crash.
    — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of divert
Verb
  • The author criticizes OpenAI's narrative as a marketing tactic, deflecting from its responsibility for inadequate test environments.
    — Lutz Finger, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • When the opportunity arrives, Graves always seems to be in the correct position to knock down an open 3-pointer, deflect an opponent’s pass, grab a loose ball or snag a rebound.
    — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 27 July 2026
Definition of deflect
Verb
  • But when the Dodgers swung the deal that felt inevitable for everyone else, Skubal redirected the conversation.
    — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Nsanzimana says the government had to redirect limited resources to keep some lifesaving programs running.
    — Fatma Tanis, NPR, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of redirect
Verb
  • The Tigers won for just the second time in six games to start a three-city West Coast swing and moved within 3 1/2 games of the final wild-card spot in the American League.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • If the proposal moves forward, corporate demographic data related to employee race and gender would be less available to the public.
    — Janice Gassam Asare, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of move
Verb
  • But Cinderella keeps going, winding her way through Querétaro, swerving toward the old colonial city of San Miguel de Allende, then bending northeast.
    — Vann R. Newkirk II, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026
  • Saar began her career as a social worker but eventually swerved toward design.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 28 July 2026
Definition of swerve
Verb
  • Drucker remained widely read, but the political center of gravity had shifted.
    — Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Now, Lopes believes the run has permanently shifted the island’s soccer future.
    — Ainsley Flood, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of shift

Browse Nearby Words

side tables
sidetrack
sidetracked
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Cite this Entry

“Sidetrack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sidetrack. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of sidetrack for Spanish Speakers

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