side·track
ˈsīd-ˌtrak 
1
2
: a position or condition of secondary importance to which one may be diverted
sidetracked; sidetracking; sidetracks
1
: to shunt aside (as to a railroad siding)
2
a
: to turn aside from a purpose : deflect
b
: to prevent action on by diversionary tactics
sidetrack an issue
Examples of sidetrack in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Keith Phipps, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024
The dream sequences, flashbacks and sidetracks don’t always succeed, and Torres’s absurdist humor is hit-or-miss.
—Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024
Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Only an especially long and cold winter could sidetrack the $44 million project, officials said, because laying asphalt is more difficult in the cold.
—John Tuohy, The Indianapolis Star, 30 Dec. 2024
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Noun
The rest is just a sidetrack, though neither goal will be easy.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024
The dream sequences, flashbacks and sidetracks don’t always succeed, and Torres’s absurdist humor is hit-or-miss.
—Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024
Verb
Some proposals and promises made during the presidential campaign will likely be sidetracked, but others will get consideration, including the provisions set to expire under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Only an especially long and cold winter could sidetrack the $44 million project, officials said, because laying asphalt is more difficult in the cold.
—John Tuohy, The Indianapolis Star, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sidetrack
Dictionary Entries Near sidetrack
Cite this Entry
“Sidetrack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sidetrack. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sidetrack
1 of 2 noun
side·track
ˈsīd-ˌtrak
sidetrack
2 of 2 verb1
: to transfer from a main railroad line to a siding
2
: to turn aside from a main purpose or use
got sidetracked by all the phone calls
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