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
Three of the hazardous materials cars that derailed, ruptured and caught fire that night were that model.
—Alena Botros, Fortune, 27 June 2024
Trump derailed the first debate Pool/Getty Images The first round, in September 2020, was by many accounts a disaster.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 26 June 2024
The untitled comedy stars Wilson as Pryce Cahill, an over-the-hill, ex-pro golfer whose career was derailed prematurely 20 years ago.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 24 June 2024
Our vacation plans have been derailed by realignment the past two years, so the bar for interrupting family time next month — in order to respond to news — is fairly high.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 21 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for derail 
Alena Botros, Fortune, 27 June 2024
Trump derailed the first debate Pool/Getty Images The first round, in September 2020, was by many accounts a disaster.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 26 June 2024
The untitled comedy stars Wilson as Pryce Cahill, an over-the-hill, ex-pro golfer whose career was derailed prematurely 20 years ago.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 24 June 2024
Our vacation plans have been derailed by realignment the past two years, so the bar for interrupting family time next month — in order to respond to news — is fairly high.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 21 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for derail
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'derail.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near derail
Cite this Entry
“Derail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/derail. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
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