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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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 throw off Even a tablespoon or two less honey or molasses than your recipe calls for can throw off the balance of moisture and sweetness, affecting texture, flavor, and consistency. Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2025 The same city that’s seen more chairs thrown off a bar rooftop by a country music star within the past two years than 10-win Vanderbilt seasons in more than a century? Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2025 Seasonal changes and Daylight Saving Time can throw off sleep schedules even more. Kris Ann Valdez, Parents, 22 Oct. 2025 But experts long ago observed that wildland blazes throw off embers, which can soar on winds to ignite dwellings miles away. Ingfei Chen, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for throw off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for throw off
Verb
  • Consider having some extra treats on hand to distract your dog and encourage them to be brave puppies.
    Cody Godwin, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Once written, the script’s fantastic promise distracted its readers from the fatal holes in its plot.
    Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The $155,000 figure was within a range covered by insurance, and FBI investigators found that no individual donor funds were diverted before they were deposited into the Bright Futures Fund, Johnston wrote.
    Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Videos taken by witnesses show cars diverting and driving away from the scene after capturing the fireball that lights up moments after the crash.
    Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Throw off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/throw%20off. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.

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