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
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Recent Examples of derail
Pressuring Republicans, and derailing a bipartisan housing bill to press for a proof of citizenship voting bill.
—
NBC news,
28 June 2026
Qassem’s comments signal that the effort to end Israel’s war in Lebanon faces fierce resistance, a move that could derail the United States’ temporary ceasefire with Iran.
—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
27 June 2026
In the end, injuries have derailed Jonathan Isaac’s Magic career.
—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 June 2026
Indeed, suspicions of the motivations related to anything that would expose students to more (rather than less) of the neighbor waging war against Ukraine almost derailed the project.
—
Howard Lafranchi,
Christian Science Monitor,
27 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for derail
NBC news,
28 June 2026
Qassem’s comments signal that the effort to end Israel’s war in Lebanon faces fierce resistance, a move that could derail the United States’ temporary ceasefire with Iran.
—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
27 June 2026
In the end, injuries have derailed Jonathan Isaac’s Magic career.
—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 June 2026
Indeed, suspicions of the motivations related to anything that would expose students to more (rather than less) of the neighbor waging war against Ukraine almost derailed the project.
—
Howard Lafranchi,
Christian Science Monitor,
27 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for derail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derail
Verb
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Efforts to organize and tidy often turned into sitting on the floor surrounded by piles of stuff and getting easily distracted with sentimental finds.
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But that was a bit ago, and there is a theory now that perhaps this is starting to leak, or maybe be confirmed soon, to distract from the recent, very poor performance of Supergirl in theaters.
Verb
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He was particularly disturbed by administration officials' attempts to characterize both as domestic terrorists.
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The appeal is largely practical, since powders travel well in a bag, don’t leave hands greasy and can be dusted on without disturbing whatever’s already on your skin.
Verb
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For all the chatter about his choices in handbags, Haaland doesn’t seem remotely bothered.
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What bothers me is the foot-dragging, the spinning in circles, the slow degradation of these characters into annoying stereotypes.
Verb
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At 53%, most Americans worry AI could cost them or someone in their household a job, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released in June.
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The 2025 outbreak was HPAI, and that’s the strain that continues to worry veterinarians and poultry scientists.
Verb
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Those measures, however, have alarmed privacy advocates, who argue that age-gating the internet would affect all users — not just children.
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That’s alarmed the National Union of Healthcare Workers, which represents about 400 nurses and staff at two psychiatric hospitals in Sacramento.
Verb
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Recent polling from Gallup found that Americans are concerned most about housing and energy prices, including gas.
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Carter is concerned by a pop-up power plant under construction in the area to serve a data center.
Verb
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The finale may leave viewers feeling unsettled, but the show has already been renewed for a second season.
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Widespread haze from wildfire smoke in Colorado and Utah will also filter into the region at times, potentially reducing visibility and adding to already unsettled atmospheric conditions.
Verb
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Diaz appeared to agitate the shoulder on a swing during his fifth-inning at-bat, then grounded out.
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That would be Saba Capital, a hedge fund that’s been agitating for change among CEFs for years.
Cite this Entry
“Derail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derail. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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