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
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Recent Examples of thrown off
With left-hander Yuki Matsui (adductor) having not thrown off a mound since Feb 19 and Adam working back from his September surgery, three relievers projected to be in the bullpen are now uncertain to be ready by opening day.
—
Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
He was thrown off course in stage 2 by Daniel Suarez.
—Kevin Lyttle, Austin American Statesman, 1 Mar. 2026
Authorities in the San Francisco Bay Area posted video of a rescue of a family from a burning apartment building over the weekend, in which a toddler and dog were thrown off a balcony to waiting police officers below.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
The rider, who wasn’t wearing a helmet, was thrown off in the collision and critically injured.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Feb. 2026
The sparks thrown off in the process could become the energy for better thoughts—for more complex and perhaps even original ideas.
—Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2026
While foxhunting in Virginia in November 1993, Onassis was thrown off a horse and was subsequently hospitalized.
—Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 13 Feb. 2026
Duprey, who wasn’t wearing a helmet, lost control, sideswiped a tree and was thrown off the scooter, officials said.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026
The trailer gives a taste of just how dire the situation is, as Stephanie’s is totally thrown off without her gum.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026
Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
He was thrown off course in stage 2 by Daniel Suarez.
—Kevin Lyttle, Austin American Statesman, 1 Mar. 2026
Authorities in the San Francisco Bay Area posted video of a rescue of a family from a burning apartment building over the weekend, in which a toddler and dog were thrown off a balcony to waiting police officers below.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
The rider, who wasn’t wearing a helmet, was thrown off in the collision and critically injured.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Feb. 2026
The sparks thrown off in the process could become the energy for better thoughts—for more complex and perhaps even original ideas.
—Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2026
While foxhunting in Virginia in November 1993, Onassis was thrown off a horse and was subsequently hospitalized.
—Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 13 Feb. 2026
Duprey, who wasn’t wearing a helmet, lost control, sideswiped a tree and was thrown off the scooter, officials said.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026
The trailer gives a taste of just how dire the situation is, as Stephanie’s is totally thrown off without her gum.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thrown off
Verb
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In his monologue, Gosling began going through the motions of singing a song about Earth (with a planetary model hanging down as a visual) before getting distracted by pop star Harry Styles in the front row.—
Omar L. Gallaga,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
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Trump successfully distracted some MAGA folks from the Epstein case and the possibility that someone who accused him of foul play might be legit.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Some flights have been repeatedly diverted.—
Zach Levitt,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
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The litigation challenges specific budget provisions that diverted more than $1 billion in unclaimed funds to create an Ohio Cultural and Sports Facility Performance Grant Fund and designate $600 million for the Browns as its first grant.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thrown off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thrown%20off. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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