derailer
1
8.1
- noun
- /dɪˈreɪlər/
- When a few participants began to argue, they became derailers, steering the conversation away from its original purpose.
Examples
-
It's a bit of a conversation killer or derailer.
Blog text (25) -
For all the derailers who want to jump in here...
Blog text (10) -
It shows such an astounding lack of empathy that dismissiveness is pretty much the kindest response the derailer ought to expect.
Blog text (28) -
When people join a discussion like this and start asking for evidence (implying that there is none), they come off as a derailer, troll, or at best an ignorant noob who hasn't done their homework.
Blog text (2) -
During the meeting, her comments turned into a derailer, distracting everyone from the main topic.
-
He often acts as a derailer, causing productive discussions to veer off course.
Synonyms
19
8.3
A person who damages things on purpose to hurt a group or country
15
7.4
A person who damages property on purpose to cause trouble
3
6.5
A person who interrupts a meeting or event and causes disorder
2
6.0
A person who interrupts a meeting or class and disturbs others
1
4.0
A person or thing that stops the normal flow of activity
1
5.1
Something that takes your attention away from what you should be doing
1
8.2
A person who causes confusion by making things more complicated
1
8.1
A person who stops or delays other people's actions on purpose
1
9.9
A person who damages property or causes trouble on purpose to distract others
1
6.4
A person or thing that draws attention away from something else
Someone who interrupts you when you are working or thinking
Antonyms
How Disruptive
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Derailer comes from de- 'off' and rail 'track'. Used for a person, a derailer is someone who pushes a plan or meeting 'off the rails', so the word shows they make things go away from their intended track.