THROW OFF Synonyms: 12 Similar and Opposite Words

throw off

verb

Definition of throw off

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

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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 throw off Loading up the chest throws off a woman’s natural movement pattern and can lead to injury. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 20 Aug. 2026 The players then throw off their capes as the crowd goes crazy. — John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026 Suddenly, her back wheel slipped, and she was thrown off, skidding across the road before a car towing a trailer ran over her. — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026 The third-year guard gave up a drive-halting sack (with Young in at QB) after getting thrown off his spot by Deone Walker. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for throw off

Recent Examples of Synonyms for throw off

Verb

Clancy also didn't report any attempt to stop the voice or distract herself from it, which Heilbrun said is common for people who experience such hallucinations.

— N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026
Mail and Paper Piles Leaving mail and stacks of paper on coffee tables, console tables, and end tables is distracting and causes a conflict between relaxation and productive tasks, which Lee notes are two things that don't go together.

— Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of distract

Verb

Sometimes, operators were forced to drain one pond and divert its water to save fish in another, the Hungarian Aquaculture and Fisheries Inter-branch Organization said in early August.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
Tax allocation districts are designated areas where a certain amount of property tax revenue growth is diverted away from governments and used to fund specific improvements within that district.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of divert

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thrown up

throw off

throw (on)

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“Throw off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/throw%20off. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of throw off

verb

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