as in distracts
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 derails
But after a cyclone derails a sailing trip, Callista becomes stranded on an island for over a year — alongside Darren's ex-army medic cousin, Dominic.
—
Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
The Iran war is fundamentally reshaping the oil industry, as geopolitical volatility rattles traders and derails expectations of a Middle East drilling boom.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Fifth derails Burrows For four innings, Burrows resembled the pitcher the Astros saw all spring.
—Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 19 Apr. 2026
Since tomorrow is never promised, many Americans who put off planning could face a health care emergency that derails their travel, leisure and other retirement plans, advisers said.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2026
Then the studio structured trailers and marketing around an unspecified, unspeakable disclosure by Zendaya’s character that derails the wedding plans (and imperils the characters’ romantic union) to stoke maximum curiosity.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2026
Women’s Health Network notes that hormonal fluctuations trigger cortisol release that actively derails the circadian sleep cycle, and women in this transition are more vulnerable to adrenal stress responses than at any other life stage.
—Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2026
Hormonal fluctuations trigger cortisol release that derails the normal circadian sleep cycle, and women in this transition are more vulnerable to adrenal stress responses.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026
His relationship with his young son is profoundly altered by an unexpected encounter that derails his work and his sense of purpose.
—Alexandra Zagalsky, TheWeek, 4 Mar. 2026
Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
The Iran war is fundamentally reshaping the oil industry, as geopolitical volatility rattles traders and derails expectations of a Middle East drilling boom.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Fifth derails Burrows For four innings, Burrows resembled the pitcher the Astros saw all spring.
—Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 19 Apr. 2026
Since tomorrow is never promised, many Americans who put off planning could face a health care emergency that derails their travel, leisure and other retirement plans, advisers said.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2026
Then the studio structured trailers and marketing around an unspecified, unspeakable disclosure by Zendaya’s character that derails the wedding plans (and imperils the characters’ romantic union) to stoke maximum curiosity.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2026
Women’s Health Network notes that hormonal fluctuations trigger cortisol release that actively derails the circadian sleep cycle, and women in this transition are more vulnerable to adrenal stress responses than at any other life stage.
—Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2026
Hormonal fluctuations trigger cortisol release that derails the normal circadian sleep cycle, and women in this transition are more vulnerable to adrenal stress responses.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026
His relationship with his young son is profoundly altered by an unexpected encounter that derails his work and his sense of purpose.
—Alexandra Zagalsky, TheWeek, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derails
Verb
-
Their romance distracts Berlin, who is usually focused and more emotionally detached.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
15 May 2026
-
Trump is renowned for his transanctionalism and willingness to deal with anybody if the dollar signs are there, but, when immigrants are involved, his interest in exclusion distracts him from the bottom line.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
The worms thrash and move erratically with a snake-like motion that disturbs the topsoil.—
Maria Braganini,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
There are lots of things weightlessness disturbs, even in the short run.—
Elizabeth Howell,
Space.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And if someone bothers Anaia, Racine is there to fight for her.—
Jourdain Searles,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
-
An unconventional structure or new approach bothers them not a whit.—
Mac Barnett,
Longreads,
5 May 2026
Verb
-
But this ambitious vision, which many in the sector think will become reality sooner or later, worries atmospheric researchers.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
18 May 2026
-
Although consumer spending — which accounts for roughly two-thirds of economic activity — has largely held up this year, Ajilore worries that could change quickly.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
LaCava said the change seems like another city policy that angers many residents without major impact.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
-
What angers me is thinking about what could have been.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
12 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The focal point of escalating concern is oldest son Jeremy (Edik Beddoes) whose increasingly erratic behavior alarms those around him, not only for his safety but others as well.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
7 May 2026
-
Whether that future excites or alarms fans, the law—not nostalgia or tradition—will determine who suits up in March.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Neil Chilson, head of AI policy at the Abundance Institute, tells me what concerns him about this power struggle.—
Benjamin Guggenheim,
Washington Post,
12 May 2026
-
The story concerns a grieving father who, after losing his wife, sends a message out into the stars…and something out there starts to talk back.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
His decision to pull out of the house sales upends an entire property chain, as his manipulative nature unsettles those around him.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
13 May 2026
-
After a chance encounter with a group of influencers in their twenties who are passing through town, Ernie invites them into his home – a decision that unsettles the fragile world he’s spent years trying to exist within.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Derails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derails. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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