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 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
We were thrown off a little bit.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
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
Katie Campione, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026
We were thrown off a little bit.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thrown off
Verb
-
As Amodei warned this week, AI may yet be positioned to inflict maximum damage on a hapless and perpetually distracted human race.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
1 Feb. 2026
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Reigns, then, took care of Fatu when Fatu was distracted by the happenings between McIntyre and Rhodes.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Delta Airlines confirmed to CBS News that a flight had an engine issue, and a handful of flights that were scheduled to arrive at DTW were diverted to other airports.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
29 Jan. 2026
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No injuries were reported, but 114 was closed and traffic was being diverted to Texas 121 south and Texas 360 south.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thrown off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thrown%20off. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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