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
The Cowboys’ offense was one of the best in the NFL this season, but they were mystified and thrown off their game in the loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
—
Joseph Hoyt, Dallas Morning News, 6 Jan. 2026
Don’t be thrown off by the slight footprint—we’ve got a workhorse on our hands with this one.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 6 Jan. 2026
The firefighter was thrown off his bike and died at the scene.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Dec. 2025
Everybody’s thrown off by that first score (45-10 in late September).
—Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 17 Dec. 2025
When the deputy was struck, he was thrown off the overpass and landed below on Harry Hines Boulevard.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 28 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
One of his shoes was thrown off and found in a yard.
—Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 18 Oct. 2025
Later, she’s thrown off school grounds for stealing office supplies and sports equipment.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025
Joseph Hoyt, Dallas Morning News, 6 Jan. 2026
Don’t be thrown off by the slight footprint—we’ve got a workhorse on our hands with this one.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 6 Jan. 2026
The firefighter was thrown off his bike and died at the scene.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Dec. 2025
Everybody’s thrown off by that first score (45-10 in late September).
—Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 17 Dec. 2025
When the deputy was struck, he was thrown off the overpass and landed below on Harry Hines Boulevard.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 28 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
One of his shoes was thrown off and found in a yard.
—Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 18 Oct. 2025
Later, she’s thrown off school grounds for stealing office supplies and sports equipment.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thrown off
Verb
-
Over the years, California Highway Patrol officers have told Honk their priority is saving lives — so intoxicated and distracted drivers, speeders and those not wearing seat belts get top billing.—
Jim Radcliffe,
Oc Register,
7 Nov. 2025
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Moreover, 14% of more than 1,000 respondents said at least one accident had occurred at their workplace because an employee was distracted by a smartphone—often resulting in injury or damage to property.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Sacramento police diverted traffic from N Street between Fifth and Sixth streets downtown as the march proceeded, Gamble said.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
9 Jan. 2026
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Hope Florida then diverted the money to political committees that spent most of it supporting the governor’s campaign against the recreational marijuana initiative that narrowly failed in 2024.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thrown off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thrown%20off. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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