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
Synonyms of derail
Examples of derail in a Sentence
The train derailed in heavy snow.
The train was derailed by heavy snow.
Recent Examples on the Web
The tech industry fears that regulations specifically targeting AI could derail momentum for the industry at a time when supply chain shortages and slow-moving energy projects are already creating some headwinds.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 22 May 2026
Travel disruptions and looming severe weather also threaten to derail the unofficial start to summer.
—Holly Yan, CNN Money, 22 May 2026
Race dirt bikes long enough, and a mistake here or there can derail a season for any rider.
—Maury Brown, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Judges up and down the ladder must make clear that there will be consequences for disregarding their orders, and act on that clarity; so far, the limited number of contempt proceedings have run into procedural walls or been derailed by appellate courts.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for derail
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Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 22 May 2026
Travel disruptions and looming severe weather also threaten to derail the unofficial start to summer.
—Holly Yan, CNN Money, 22 May 2026
Race dirt bikes long enough, and a mistake here or there can derail a season for any rider.
—Maury Brown, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Judges up and down the ladder must make clear that there will be consequences for disregarding their orders, and act on that clarity; so far, the limited number of contempt proceedings have run into procedural walls or been derailed by appellate courts.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for derail
Cite this Entry
“Derail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/derail. Accessed 28 May. 2026.
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