Derail (Verb)
Meaning 1
Run off or leave the rails; "the train derailed because a cow was standing on the tracks".
Classification
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming.
Examples
- The train derailed on a curve due to excessive speed, injuring several passengers.
- Poor maintenance caused the old tram to derail in the city center.
- A stray dog's presence on the tracks nearly caused the freight train to derail.
- Heavy rainfall triggered a landslide that derailed the express train.
- Due to mechanical failure, the bullet train derailed while traveling at full speed.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Related Words
Meaning 2
Cause to run off the tracks; "they had planned to derail the trains that carried atomic waste".
Classification
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming.
Examples
- Vandals tried to derail a freight train carrying hazardous chemicals by placing rocks on the tracks.
- Terrorists threatened to derail the entire rail system with strategically placed bombs.
- Protesters were accused of attempting to derail the cargo train as it carried nuclear materials through the town.
- Engineers struggled to determine what could have caused the high-speed train to derail and crash in the remote forest.
- A disgruntled employee was found guilty of conspiracy to derail a commuter train during rush hour.