What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
derail
Example
The train derailed due to a faulty track. [derailed: past tense]
Example
The company's plans were derailed by unexpected market changes. [derailed: verb]
disrupt
Example
The storm disrupted power and communication lines. [disrupted: past tense]
Example
The noisy construction work disrupted the peaceful atmosphere of the neighborhood. [disrupted: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Disrupt is more commonly used than derail in everyday language. Disrupt is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while derail is less common and refers to specific situations such as train accidents or project failures.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between derail and disrupt?
Both derail and disrupt can be used in formal and informal contexts, but derail may be more formal due to its association with technical or specialized language in certain fields such as transportation or engineering.
