derailed; derailing; derails
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
Joanne Gordon
: to leave the rails
Synonyms
Examples of derail in a Sentence
The train derailed in heavy snow.
The train was derailed by heavy snow.
Recent Examples on the Web
But for one couple, their big day was nearly derailed by a shocking incident involving an uninvited guest.
—Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
But his success risks being derailed over the next few weeks if he’s convicted of a 2021 shooting in Los Angeles that could send him to prison for almost 20 years.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2025
The best teams don’t get derailed when a starter or two goes down.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 21 Jan. 2025
Trump’s followers also found a way to keep going after their movement seemed to be derailed in 2021.
—John Blake, CNN, 19 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for derail 
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Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
But his success risks being derailed over the next few weeks if he’s convicted of a 2021 shooting in Los Angeles that could send him to prison for almost 20 years.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2025
The best teams don’t get derailed when a starter or two goes down.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 21 Jan. 2025
Trump’s followers also found a way to keep going after their movement seemed to be derailed in 2021.
—John Blake, CNN, 19 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for derail
Dictionary Entries Near derail
Cite this Entry
“Derail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/derail. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.
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