Synonyms of throw off

throw off

verb

as in to distract

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

• distract
• divert
• abstract
• detract
• call off
• amuse
• entertain
• wander
• stray
• beguile

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• focus
• concentrate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of throw off

Ichabod tries to outrun the ghost, but he is hit in the head with a pumpkin and thrown off his horse. — Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026

Cousins was in rhythm but, throwing off his back foot, didn’t give the throw nearly enough juice. — Sam Warren, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

That led to a go-ahead field goal and set the stage for the late drive that started with promise but ended on a giveaway on a pass Maye threw off his back foot. — CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026

In order to solidify his cover in Tehran and throw off the story’s villain, Qasim (Navid Negahban, Kandahar), Tucker hires a young Iranian-American woman, Zara (Bollywood star Elnaaz Norouzi, very good), to pose as his wife. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026