derail

Plural: derails

Verb

Verb Forms: derailed, derailing, derails

• To cause a train to leave its tracks; to disrupt a plan.
• cause to run off the tracks
  • "they had planned to derail the trains that carried atomic waste"
• run off or leave the rails
  • "the train derailed because a cow was standing on the tracks"
• To cause to come off the tracks.
• To come off the tracks.
• To deviate from the previous course or direction.
• To cause to deviate from a set course or direction.

Noun

• Synonym of derailer: A device placed on railway tracks in order to cause a train to derail.
• An instance of diverting a conversation or debate from its original topic.

Examples

• Her strategic play was designed to DERAIL her opponent’s attempt at a bingo.
• The conversation derailed once James brought up politics.
• The derail was placed deliberately so that the train would fall into the river.
• The protesting students derailed the professor's lecture.
• The train was destroyed when it was derailed by the collision.

Synonyms

jump, derailer, unrail

Anagrams of derail