derail

verb
UK: /dɪˈreɪl/
US: /diˈreɪl/

  1. To cause a train to leave its tracks.

    1. The train derailed near the city center.
    2. Heavy snowfall might derail the train, causing significant delays for passengers.

  2. To obstruct or prevent something from succeeding or continuing as planned.

    1. The argument derailed the meeting.
    2. Unexpected costs could derail the project's timeline, pushing back the launch date.

Synonyms

divert disrupt thwart wreck
derail noun

  1. An instance of a train leaving its tracks.

    1. The derail caused delays.
    2. The train derail resulted in several injuries, prompting an immediate investigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "derail" in English means: To cause a train to leave its tracks., To obstruct or prevent something from succeeding or continuing as planned..

The phonetic transcription of "derail" is /dɪˈreɪl/ in British English and /diˈreɪl/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "derail": divert, disrupt, thwart, wreck.

Example usage of "derail": "The train derailed near the city center.". More examples on the page.