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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of threw off
That did not happen in my house, where the workdays were long, everyone’s calendars were packed and a bad cold threw off our schedule for a week.
—
Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Horton threw off flat ground on Friday and Saturday before the playoffs started and had hoped to throw from the mound last Sunday.
—Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2025
Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Horton threw off flat ground on Friday and Saturday before the playoffs started and had hoped to throw from the mound last Sunday.
—Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threw off
Verb
-
Over the years, California Highway Patrol officers have told Honk their priority is saving lives — so intoxicated and distracted drivers, speeders and those not wearing seat belts get top billing.—
Jim Radcliffe,
Oc Register,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Moreover, 14% of more than 1,000 respondents said at least one accident had occurred at their workplace because an employee was distracted by a smartphone—often resulting in injury or damage to property.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Sacramento police diverted traffic from N Street between Fifth and Sixth streets downtown as the march proceeded, Gamble said.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Hope Florida then diverted the money to political committees that spent most of it supporting the governor’s campaign against the recreational marijuana initiative that narrowly failed in 2024.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Threw off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threw%20off. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share