derail

verb

de·​rail di-ˈrāl How to pronounce derail (audio)
dē-
derailed; derailing; derails
Synonyms of derailnext

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to leave the rails
derailment
di-ˈrāl-mənt How to pronounce derail (audio)
dē-
noun

Synonyms of derail

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Examples of derail in a Sentence

The train derailed in heavy snow. The train was derailed by heavy snow.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
South Carolina derailed Sanders’s momentum in both the 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns. — W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 25 July 2026 Recalling the shooting attempt that derailed the original dinner in April, Jiang recalled the night’s impromptu briefing at the White House. — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 25 July 2026 Injuries have repeatedly derailed the one-time SEC starter (his best season came in 2021 at LSU), who has played in just 17 games over the past four seasons. — Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 24 July 2026 Baker is now two years removed from a top-five QB finish and was QB10 through Week 11 last year before injuries derailed his season. — Jonathan Rubin, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for derail

Word History

Etymology

French dérailler to throw off the track, from dé- de- + rail, from English

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of derail was in 1850

Rhymes for derail

See All Rhymes for derail

Browse Nearby Words

deraign
derail
derailleur
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Derail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/derail. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

derail

verb
de·​rail di-ˈrā(ə)l How to pronounce derail (audio)
: to cause to run off the rails
a train derailed by heavy snow
derailment
-mənt How to pronounce derail (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on derail

Nglish: Translation of derail for Spanish Speakers

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