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 threw off
The Wolverines threw off their gloves and swarmed each other on the infield to celebrate.
—
Dan Albano, Oc Register, 1 May 2026
Quarterback Carson Beck threw off his back foot.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Mauricio threw off his helmet and ran into center field before being caught by teammates, who swarmed him and doused him with water on a windy day at Citi Field.
—CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
The lefty first threw off flat ground and then a bit off a mound.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2026
Wearing her running blade during farmer carries threw off her balance.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 31 Mar. 2026
Two hours before Thursday night’s Cactus League game, Snell threw off the mound in front of a group of reporters and fans at Camelback Ranch.
—Jack Vita, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
In the five decades since Portugal threw off its fascist dictatorship, a presidential election has only once before — in 1986 — required a runoff, highlighting how fragmented the political landscape has become with the rise of the far-right and voter disenchantment with mainstream parties.
—Reuters, NBC news, 18 Jan. 2026
That quick interior pressure threw off the timing of an offense that requires it.
—Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Dan Albano, Oc Register, 1 May 2026
Quarterback Carson Beck threw off his back foot.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Mauricio threw off his helmet and ran into center field before being caught by teammates, who swarmed him and doused him with water on a windy day at Citi Field.
—CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
The lefty first threw off flat ground and then a bit off a mound.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2026
Wearing her running blade during farmer carries threw off her balance.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 31 Mar. 2026
Two hours before Thursday night’s Cactus League game, Snell threw off the mound in front of a group of reporters and fans at Camelback Ranch.
—Jack Vita, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
In the five decades since Portugal threw off its fascist dictatorship, a presidential election has only once before — in 1986 — required a runoff, highlighting how fragmented the political landscape has become with the rise of the far-right and voter disenchantment with mainstream parties.
—Reuters, NBC news, 18 Jan. 2026
That quick interior pressure threw off the timing of an offense that requires it.
—Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threw off
Verb
-
Rather than acting out on the anger, take a calming moment with some deep breaths, and think about the possibility that your partner was possibly distracted or stressed out.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
-
But during the aufguss ceremony at BASIN Glacial Waters, people smiled and laughed and swayed to the music, and Kyan’s dance-like towel moves distracted me from the discomfort of the heat.—
Jen Murphy,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Instead of remitting those taxes to the IRS, prosecutors alleged Kapoor diverted over $2 million from company accounts for his personal benefit.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
14 May 2026
-
Vehicles were allowed to use the slow lane and traffic was diverted off at the rest area.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Threw off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threw%20off. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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