as in distracted
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 derailed
Majors is mounting a comeback of his own after a misdemeanor assault conviction derailed his career.
—
Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025
The 30-year-old had finished second in American League Rookie of the Year voting in 2018, but injuries derailed his time with the New York Yankees.
—C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
However, a fibula fracture derailed him last year.
—Mike Barner, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
The arrest became the talk of the town among Miami’s political class, with insiders pointing to one particular vice as a significant factor that may have derailed his once-promising comeback.
—Joey Flechas, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
The Associated Press reported that a 19th-century streetcar in Lisbon derailed and crashed during the evening rush hour.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
The Niners are hoping to bounce back from a disappointing 6-11 season a year ago, as injuries derailed their hopes of another playoff push.
—Pueng Vongs, Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2025
At least 15 people were killed when a world-famous funicular railcar derailed and overturned in Lisbon, Portugal, on Wednesday.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 4 Sep. 2025
Despite opposition from Democrats — including a quorum break that derailed an earlier special session — Republican lawmakers successfully ushered in a new congressional map that positions Republicans to pick up five seats in Congress.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2025
Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025
The 30-year-old had finished second in American League Rookie of the Year voting in 2018, but injuries derailed his time with the New York Yankees.
—C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
However, a fibula fracture derailed him last year.
—Mike Barner, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
The arrest became the talk of the town among Miami’s political class, with insiders pointing to one particular vice as a significant factor that may have derailed his once-promising comeback.
—Joey Flechas, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
The Associated Press reported that a 19th-century streetcar in Lisbon derailed and crashed during the evening rush hour.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
The Niners are hoping to bounce back from a disappointing 6-11 season a year ago, as injuries derailed their hopes of another playoff push.
—Pueng Vongs, Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2025
At least 15 people were killed when a world-famous funicular railcar derailed and overturned in Lisbon, Portugal, on Wednesday.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 4 Sep. 2025
Despite opposition from Democrats — including a quorum break that derailed an earlier special session — Republican lawmakers successfully ushered in a new congressional map that positions Republicans to pick up five seats in Congress.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derailed
Verb
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The walk to the penalty spot didn’t feel long for Bronze, partly because she was distracted by the strapping.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
-
First published in 1985, the book warned that the threat to American democracy came not from state repression, but from a culture distracted by amusement.—
Time,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Don’t be disturbed by an authority figure that might suddenly pounce.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
16 Sep. 2025
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There’s a certain freedom not having social media available from your app launcher, knowing you won’t get disturbed on this device, but are still able to sit back with a good book, some light jazz, and… not much else.—
Ewan Spence,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The incursion was by far the largest-ever of Russian drones into NATO airspace, a move that has alarmed allied countries and fueled fears the war is escalating and spreading.—
Patrick Reevell,
ABC News,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Police took Taddese’s phone and vehicle as evidence, which alarmed the family, Bernard said, explaining some of the family’s reservations about the police investigation.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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No one has bothered to figure out the degree to which that alters the scaling laws of AI models until now.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
15 Sep. 2025
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The two were hardly bothered, though.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The code is a black box, as far as you are concerned.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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House lawmakers will see a stipend for personal private security double in the wake of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, with members on both sides of the aisle concerned about the rise in political violence.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Traders worried about inflation tend to pour money in gold, which some believe holds an intrinsic value that hedges against rising prices.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Some scientists worried such accidents might genuinely threaten our existence.—
Thomas Moynihan,
Big Think,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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However, sharp spending cuts have angered many, while corruption allegations against senior officials have dented his party’s odds ahead of next month’s vote, which could determine the future of Milei’s presidency.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Some of the most passionate television fans are those who watch Big Brother, and the latest game twist has angered them, creating a backlash on social media.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When governance meets Goliath For more than a decade, Biglari Holdings and Biglari himself have been plagued by accusations of mismanagement due to ballooning executive pay, stock volatility, and a licensing deal that potentially advantages Biglari personally.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
18 Sep. 2025
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While economic uncertainty has plagued boardrooms this year, some businesses are not putting plans on hold.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Derailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derailed. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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