as in bothering
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 derailing
State AGs have notched some successes recently, temporarily derailing the merger of big broadcasters Nexstar and Tegna and obtaining a settlement from Live Nation.
—
Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2026
Jet fuel costs have roughly doubled since the start of the war in Iran, derailing Spirit’s plans to emerge from its second bankruptcy reorganization since 2024.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
Craving something sweet doesn’t have to mean derailing your health goals.
—Jennifer Berger, Verywell Health, 20 Apr. 2026
The team took hit after hit, injuries derailing their roster regularly with almost no reprieve across the six-month schedule.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
This season didn't go nearly as well, with injuries to key veterans like Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray and DeAndre Hunter derailing the campaign almost from the start.
—CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
This season didn't go nearly as well, with injuries to key veterans like Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray and DeAndre Hunter derailing the campaign almost from the start.
—ABC News, 12 Apr. 2026
Emergency managers from several states say the funding backlog is having a ripple effect in communities, straining local budgets and delaying or potentially derailing disaster projects that have taken years to plan.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 10 Apr. 2026
Candidates who lost have pointed their fingers at special interests, blaming them for derailing their campaigns.
—Leah Askarinam, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2026
Jet fuel costs have roughly doubled since the start of the war in Iran, derailing Spirit’s plans to emerge from its second bankruptcy reorganization since 2024.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
Craving something sweet doesn’t have to mean derailing your health goals.
—Jennifer Berger, Verywell Health, 20 Apr. 2026
The team took hit after hit, injuries derailing their roster regularly with almost no reprieve across the six-month schedule.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
This season didn't go nearly as well, with injuries to key veterans like Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray and DeAndre Hunter derailing the campaign almost from the start.
—CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
This season didn't go nearly as well, with injuries to key veterans like Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray and DeAndre Hunter derailing the campaign almost from the start.
—ABC News, 12 Apr. 2026
Emergency managers from several states say the funding backlog is having a ripple effect in communities, straining local budgets and delaying or potentially derailing disaster projects that have taken years to plan.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 10 Apr. 2026
Candidates who lost have pointed their fingers at special interests, blaming them for derailing their campaigns.
—Leah Askarinam, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derailing
Verb
-
Yusei Kikuchi said throwing fastballs was bothering him again, so the Los Angeles Angels pitcher left Wednesday's 3-2, 10-inning loss to the Chicago White Sox after two innings with left shoulder tightness.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Please order Keegan to make a pre-bathroom coffee for both of us for one week and then stop bothering me about it.—
John Hodgman,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The curators supply a historical backdrop, therefore, but discreetly, and without distracting us from Wright’s poetic originality.—
Julian Bell,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The Living Room also extends outdoors to the rooftop Terrazzo Bar with views that are almost too distracting.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There is disturbing use by 13-year-olds and those who are older in bike lanes and our once-tranquil walking and bike trails.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Mark Holdbrooks, 69, was found guilty Friday on multiple charges, including murder, theft and disturbing human remains.—
Katie Houlis,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Equally concerning is that requiring twice as many workers per case without a plan to recruit or retain them risks widespread gaps in care.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The technique still needs sanding, and zero interceptions in 48 career games is concerning, but McCutchin’s combine testing gave his draft case a nice shot of nitrous.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The alerts were triggered by the severe thunderstorm moving through the area, alarming some residents who were unaware the city’s siren system now also goes off when a severe weather warning is issued by the National Weather Service.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Midway through my massage, the boat unmoored itself and set sail—setting off an initially alarming vibrating bed and whirring engine noise.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Medieval schoolmen worrying over Aristotle could be pedants; so could cultivated female salonnières in seventeenth-century Paris.—
Clare Bucknell,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The technology intentionally comes lacking a human face, and its evangelists have both over-promised regarding what the tools can do in the short term while worrying people about the long-term societal impacts.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At last year’s COP30 in Brazil, about 80 countries backed a road map to phase out oil, gas and coal, but it was dropped from the final document for lack of consensus, angering many delegates.—
Fabiano Maisonnave,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The unique revelry was appropriate for the rising star who has made headlines by angering veterans with aggressive moves.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And Anderson is said to be behaving impeccably in not agitating for a move.—
David Ornstein,
New York Times,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Pour in egg mixture and immediately stir with a heatproof rubber spatula, incorporating ham and gently agitating eggs, and running it along edges until sides begin to bubble, about 30 seconds.—
Inés Anguiano,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Derailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derailing. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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