derail

verb

de·​rail di-ˈrāl How to pronounce derail (audio)
dē-
derailed; derailing; derails
Synonyms of derailnext

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to leave the rails
derailment
di-ˈrāl-mənt How to pronounce derail (audio)
dē-
noun

Synonyms of derail

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Examples of derail in a Sentence

The train derailed in heavy snow. The train was derailed by heavy snow.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The result derailed some $6 billion in corporate equity sales lined up post-election. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026 The original plan for 25 street-legal M6 GTs was eventually altered to 50 examples due to FIA requirements, but production never came to fruition, derailed by the 32-year-old McLaren’s death during testing at Goodwood in 1970. — Jason Barlow, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2026 Stewart, a potent running quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, was the talk of the industry when an unfounded rumor about him being gay threatened to derail everything. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026 A good long-term bet can be derailed by the reality of right now. — Diane Brady, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for derail

Word History

Etymology

French dérailler to throw off the track, from dé- de- + rail, from English

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of derail was in 1850

Rhymes for derail

See All Rhymes for derail

Browse Nearby Words

deraign
derail
derailleur
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Cite this Entry

“Derail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/derail. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

derail

verb
de·​rail di-ˈrā(ə)l How to pronounce derail (audio)
: to cause to run off the rails
a train derailed by heavy snow
derailment
-mənt How to pronounce derail (audio)
noun
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