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
Drexel visited her father in 2019 – and she, too, was prevented from leaving China for 11 months, derailing her plans to attend law school.
—
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
The sighting came days before Woods, 49, tore his Achilles tendon, derailing his plans of playing at the Masters in April.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
The Texans’ defense draws the task of derailing Mac Jones, who has posted a 4-1 record while completing 67 percent of his passes for six touchdowns and four interceptions while starting in place of an injured Brock Purdy.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Big rail projects can have a way of derailing due to politics, budgets, and geography.
—Chelsea Haney
october 25, New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2025
Chinese leaders may decide to continue dialing up tensions, perhaps even derailing the talks and reigniting the spring’s tit-for-tat tariff war.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2025
Closures and travel delays are derailing photo shoots, engagements, elopements and weddings.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025
Gonzalez missed nearly his entire rookie season before being named an All-Pro in 2024, and the thought of a lingering hamstring injury derailing his season would be a major blow to New England.
—Shaun McAvoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Many outdoorsy folks will happily slog for hours toward outdoor fun, despite the fact that any number of adventure derailing smackdowns await us.
—Outside Online, 1 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derailing
Verb
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Ibrahim keeps bothering me endlessly, touching my leg and thigh.—
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Ask her if anything is bothering her.—
Verb
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Writing essays, in the same way, lubricates my writing of fiction and vice versa—by distracting me and taking my thoughts elsewhere.—
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The glare from the sun had been reflecting in the lenses and distracting Smith.—
Verb
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Videos showing the physical abuse of nonverbal children on a Littleton Public Schools bus are disturbing and difficult to watch.—
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Over the next six months, disturbing details about the abuse Kevin’s youngest children endured at the hands of their mother and Hildebrandt emerged.—
Verb
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At a minimum, the investigation should be conducted swiftly, and Maryland residents should be informed of accountability steps taken to address these concerning allegations.—
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His daughter then explained Tate's content to him, leading Graham to find the influencer's reach particularly concerning, given that Tate is also under multiple investigations for human trafficking and rape.—
Verb
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While a small sample size, the historical record for what happens after the S & P 500 has a down month after a seven-month win streak is more reassuring than alarming for the near term.—
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China’s increasingly advanced military capabilities are alarming the West and reshaping the global balance of naval power, analysts said.—
Verb
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In Tokyo, travelers can explore the bustling neighborhoods of Shibuya, Harajuku, and Shinjuku, admire cutting-edge architecture, stroll through peaceful Japanese gardens, and experience vibrant nightlife without worrying about personal safety.—
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Devices stay online without worrying about draining the car’s starter battery.—
Verb
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The board instead approved a resolution to reexamine current campus spaces, angering some parents.—
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Meanwhile another son, Eduardo, lobbied US officials to impose tariffs on Brazil in response to the verdict, angering many back home.—
Verb
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Lululemon Athletica founder Chip Wilson has been agitating for change, and the outspoken critic now has activist investor Elliott Investment Management weighing in on a potential chief executive officer candidate.—
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Washing machines take care of that with their tumbling or agitating action.—
Cite this Entry
“Derailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derailing. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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