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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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 As Vanderslice unwittingly contributed to the story with some quotes, not realizing the tone and direction of the article, his candidacy was derailed and his credibility ruined. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026 Adding sweeteners, Ellison eventually convinced the Warner board to agree to a combination, derailing a WBD-Netflix deal. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026 Insurance company lawsuits at issue The main sticking point in the negotiations today is the same issue that derailed attempts at a deal during the legislative session. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 30 Sep. 2026 The debate briefly derailed the meeting as the mayor, controller and council members continually shouted over each other, prompting the mayor to ultimately pause the meeting. — Isaac Yu, Houston Chronicle, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for derail

Recent Examples of Synonyms for derail

Verb

His philosophy posits that nature should be the focus of any space, and this is true—trappings frame and do not distract from the views.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Those moments shouldn't distract from the fact that Las Vegas looked every bit as good as the Chiefs for most of the game, and at certain points, better.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of distract

Verb

If anything, the University of Toronto researchers discovered, we humans are the ones disturbing our dogs’ sleep.

— Gina Vivinetto, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2026
The disembodied emcee voice for the performance only asks that flash not be used, and that any photography or videography not disturb surrounding attendees.

— Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of disturb

Verb

Nothing to worry about, though, as the hotel is located in a neighborhood packed with restaurants and bars of all sorts.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Following these reports, concerns are circulating about what exactly caused the death and quarantine — and just how worried the rest of the world should be.

— Renée Onque, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of worry

Verb

Investors have grown increasingly alarmed over the eurozone’s debt burden, moribund economic growth, and persistent inflation.

— Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Ayesha Bell Hardaway, a former prosecutor who is a professor of law at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio, is alarmed by the dramatic variation across the country.

— Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of alarm

Verb

In turn, an interpretation may report that no concerning variant was found without making clear that the relevant gene was not fully examined.

— Euan Ashley, STAT, 1 Oct. 2026
Emirati prosecutors opened an investigation after a co-pilot stabbed his captain mid-flight, asserting jurisdiction over a crime that also concerns Saudi Arabia and Israel.

— Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of concern

Verb

The war unsettled the region, paved the way for the rise of ISIS, and triggered a cascade of violence that continues to this day.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
When police spoke to Miller’s friends and family, several individuals mentioned feeling odd or unsettled about Randolph and Miller’s interactions.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of unsettle

Verb

The poorer the air being inhaled by children in Hackney, the more regularly the dust was agitated and the thicker the storm and richer the color inside the box.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
Hold both sides of the duvet and gently agitate the filling in small sections to make sure that the water and soap thoroughly soak through.

— Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of agitate

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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 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of derail

verb

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