derailed; derailing; derails
1
: to cause to run off the rails
2
a
: to obstruct the progress of : frustrate
security problems derailed the tour
b
: to upset the stability or composure of
divorce … can seriously derail an employee—
Joanne Gordon
Joanne Gordon
: to leave the rails
Examples of derail in a Sentence
The train derailed in heavy snow.
The train was derailed by heavy snow.
Recent Examples on the Web
Prior to May, Vegas was a journeyman in the later days of a career highlighted by four PGA Tour wins, but often derailed by injuries and hard times.
—Brendan Quinn, New York Times, 15 June 2025
The production — directed and choreographed by Jennifer Werner — stands on the shoulders of a strong cast, led by Sam McLellan as Elder Price, the strait-laced, big brother type who’s on a mission to fulfill his, well, mission but is derailed by self-doubt and religious questioning.
—Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 June 2025
If executed across a comprehensive set of key targets, America’s ability to competently fight could be derailed at the opening of a conflict.
—David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
Despite Anna’s meticulous preparations, her intent to force confessions from the passengers and deliver them directly to authorities is immediately derailed when just hours into the trip one of her guests is murdered.
—Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for derail
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Brendan Quinn, New York Times, 15 June 2025
The production — directed and choreographed by Jennifer Werner — stands on the shoulders of a strong cast, led by Sam McLellan as Elder Price, the strait-laced, big brother type who’s on a mission to fulfill his, well, mission but is derailed by self-doubt and religious questioning.
—Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 June 2025
If executed across a comprehensive set of key targets, America’s ability to competently fight could be derailed at the opening of a conflict.
—David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
Despite Anna’s meticulous preparations, her intent to force confessions from the passengers and deliver them directly to authorities is immediately derailed when just hours into the trip one of her guests is murdered.
—Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for derail
Cite this Entry
“Derail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/derail. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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