as in distracting
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 throwing off
The next step for Horton, who’s recovering from a fractured right rib, will be throwing off a mound on Tuesday at Wrigley Field.
—
Andy McCullough, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
What's throwing off the seasons?
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2025
Zeferjahn has been throwing off a mound for the past week.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 21 Sep. 2025
But the Broncos’ pre-snap motion looked messy at times, and Nix spent much of his time Sunday throwing off-platform.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 8 Sep. 2025
REITs aren’t the only healthcare plays throwing off fat dividends right now, though.
—Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Manager Craig Counsell anticipates Taillon throwing off a mound Wednesday at Oracle Park so the Cubs can gauge how the veteran starter feels and then make a decision about his next start.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
Andy McCullough, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
What's throwing off the seasons?
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2025
Zeferjahn has been throwing off a mound for the past week.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 21 Sep. 2025
But the Broncos’ pre-snap motion looked messy at times, and Nix spent much of his time Sunday throwing off-platform.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 8 Sep. 2025
REITs aren’t the only healthcare plays throwing off fat dividends right now, though.
—Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Manager Craig Counsell anticipates Taillon throwing off a mound Wednesday at Oracle Park so the Cubs can gauge how the veteran starter feels and then make a decision about his next start.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for throwing off
Verb
-
The Democratic crackup that’s now underway in Washington is distracting the party from a series of brutal fights just ahead that will culminate in next year’s midterms.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Even without mixing and matching, simple gold hoops can offer a sleek and classy look that feels elevated and sophisticated enough for wearing to the office, celebrating milestones, and attending events without being distracting.—
Jessie Quinn,
StyleCaster,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In 1959, Prince Edward County, Virginia, closed its public schools for five years, diverting tax monies to build a K-12 private academy for 1,400 white students and allotting their families tuition grants.—
Equal Justice Initiative,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Throwing off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/throwing%20off. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025.
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