as in distracted
to draw the attention or mind to something else
the sudden noise just threw me off completely, and I missed my shot
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Recent Examples of threw off
The Wolverines threw off their gloves and swarmed each other on the infield to celebrate.
—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
1 May 2026
Quarterback Carson Beck threw off his back foot.
—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Mauricio threw off his helmet and ran into center field before being caught by teammates, who swarmed him and doused him with water on a windy day at Citi Field.
—
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
The lefty first threw off flat ground and then a bit off a mound.
—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
Wearing her running blade during farmer carries threw off her balance.
—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
31 Mar. 2026
Two hours before Thursday night’s Cactus League game, Snell threw off the mound in front of a group of reporters and fans at Camelback Ranch.
—
Jack Vita,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
In the five decades since Portugal threw off its fascist dictatorship, a presidential election has only once before — in 1986 — required a runoff, highlighting how fragmented the political landscape has become with the rise of the far-right and voter disenchantment with mainstream parties.
—
Reuters,
NBC news,
18 Jan. 2026
That quick interior pressure threw off the timing of an offense that requires it.
—
Colton Pouncy,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2026
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
1 May 2026
Quarterback Carson Beck threw off his back foot.
—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Mauricio threw off his helmet and ran into center field before being caught by teammates, who swarmed him and doused him with water on a windy day at Citi Field.
—
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
The lefty first threw off flat ground and then a bit off a mound.
—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
Wearing her running blade during farmer carries threw off her balance.
—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
31 Mar. 2026
Two hours before Thursday night’s Cactus League game, Snell threw off the mound in front of a group of reporters and fans at Camelback Ranch.
—
Jack Vita,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
In the five decades since Portugal threw off its fascist dictatorship, a presidential election has only once before — in 1986 — required a runoff, highlighting how fragmented the political landscape has become with the rise of the far-right and voter disenchantment with mainstream parties.
—
Reuters,
NBC news,
18 Jan. 2026
That quick interior pressure threw off the timing of an offense that requires it.
—
Colton Pouncy,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threw off
Verb
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The researchers wanted to examine whether young people who perceived their caregivers as frequently distracted by digital devices were more likely to report what’s called insecure attachment styles.
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At least until one of us gets distracted by some new slight from the British.
Verb
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The core outputs 575 megawatts of thermal energy, which can be diverted for specialized industrial processes like heavy manufacturing or water desalination.
-
Prosecutors described the case as the largest pandemic fraud scheme in the country, saying Bock diverted tens of millions in federal money intended to feed hungry children.
Cite this Entry
“Threw off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threw%20off. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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