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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 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
-
As the plant grows around it, the support becomes almost invisible and does not distract from the plant's beauty.—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 July 2025
-
This all, of course, was not to distract from the center of her makeup look: a matte red lip.—
Essence,
Essence,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
There’s something delicious about sipping lemonade after a dip in the pool, looking down from the balcony at the day-trippers all hot and bothered below.—
Richard Godwin,
Travel + Leisure,
12 July 2025
-
Chisholm, the Yankees’ hottest hitter over the last month or so, has said that the shoulder bothers him more in the field than at the plate.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
Though Harry assured Charlotte that everything is going to be OK, Charlotte can’t help but worry.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
7 July 2025
-
But there’s nothing, only silence, which worries me as much as the scream.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
People.com,
7 July 2025
Verb
-
In an interview with an internal affairs investigator, Pascua said she wasn’t alarmed by Elisa’s fall.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 July 2025
-
Those of us frustrated or alarmed about the scope of the Trump administration’s immigration raids must unequivocally condemn violence against government workers and law enforcement.—
Dallas Morning News,
Twin Cities,
10 July 2025
Verb
-
The warning was released on Monday at 4:41 p.m., and the last update concerning this incident was provided on Monday at 4:47 p.m.—
Kansas City Star Bot
Updated July 14,
Kansas City Star,
14 July 2025
-
The suit alleges that several internal memos concerning drugs and other contraband have gone unheeded for years.—
Cody Copeland,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
The Almanac said the Southwest, including California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona, could experience unsettled, showery conditions on Halloween this year.—
Olivia Rose,
AZCentral.com,
9 July 2025
-
By the late 1800s, in one of their many acts of unsettling America’s natural balance, white men had hunted wolves and mountain lions to extinction in the East.—
Helen Whybrow
July 7,
Literary Hub,
7 July 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share