DERAIL Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

derail

verb

di-ˈrāl

Definition of derail

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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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of derail The rally began amid widespread pessimism about inflation and the economy, yet none of those setbacks managed to derail it. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026 Towns finished with eight points, seven rebounds and three assists but turned the ball over three times, shot two-of-seven from the field, and lost his positional matchup to Davis, the former perennial All-Star whose career was derailed by injury. — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 9 Oct. 2026 Nicolás Pereda’s absurdist comedy centers on composer Rosa, who records a television interview at her colleague Tere’s apartment, where interruptions steadily derail the shoot. — Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026 The series stars Wilson as Pryce Cahill, an ex-pro golfer whose career was derailed two decades ago. — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for derail

Recent Examples of Synonyms for derail

Verb

Elsewhere Citroën is banking on retro-chic styling to distract consumers from the vehicle's minimalism.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 12 Oct. 2026
For Bajaria, the brief opportunity to own a legacy studio didn’t distract from her core mission.

— K.J. Yossman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of distract

Verb

She was especially disturbed by the emotional vulnerability that someone could exploit when a person believes a relationship is genuine.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Police Chief Paul Joseph said at a press conference on Tuesday that Lieu had a criminal history involving firearms and disturbing behavior.

— Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of disturb

Verb

Palo Alto Networks did that after buying [Israeli startup] CyberArk, but why would most companies bother?

— Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 12 Oct. 2026
That woman was truly unbothered, a term tossed around online, but the literal act of not being bothered is impossible for most people beyond the quirkiest, like my onetime neighbor, or maybe Fran Lebowitz.

— Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of bother

Verb

More than half of people using AI at work worried that using it on important tasks would create exactly that impression.

— Christoph Trattner, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026
Opponents worry that the changes would mean less money getting invested in rural housing, precisely when housing affordability issues are hitting those areas the hardest.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of worry

Verb

There are signs that the President is unravelling, in ways that are different from late-period Joe Biden but are alarming all the same.

— David Remnick, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026
The symptom that alarmed me most in that moment was the progressive skin wrinkling in some NCBRS teens.

— Deepa Fernandes, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of alarm

Verb

As for Adebayo, the Heat doesn’t seem to concerned about his groin issue.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
Unions are concerned the bots — which Simbe claims can save employees up to 50 hours of work per week — could put human employees out of work.

— Ella Chakarian, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of concern

Verb

But the long gearing also has its benefits in fast driving, allowing full-throttle use without overwhelming the chassis or unsettling the rear end on corner exit.

— Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
But at the same time, Nellis said, significant unfunded spending commitments could unsettle financial markets and push government borrowing costs higher.

— Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of unsettle

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deputy

derail

derailed

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“Derail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derail. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of derail

verb

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