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
In episode 9, the duo was hard at work picking whom to murder and throwing off the faithfuls from discovering their traitor identities.
—
Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 13 Feb. 2026
Adam has been throwing off a mound since early December and, with Padres pitchers and catchers set for their first official workout of spring on Wednesday morning, is now throwing full-go bullpen sessions.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
It's been a long road to (temporarily) throwing off all the trappings that make Guy Fieri recognizable as the pop cultural icon who won the first won America's heart in 2006 by winning the second season of The Next Food Network Star.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Feb. 2026
Less light exposure during the winter months shifts your biological clock, throwing off your hormones, mood, and sleep.
—Marisa McMillan, Outside, 20 Dec. 2025
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
Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 13 Feb. 2026
Adam has been throwing off a mound since early December and, with Padres pitchers and catchers set for their first official workout of spring on Wednesday morning, is now throwing full-go bullpen sessions.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
It's been a long road to (temporarily) throwing off all the trappings that make Guy Fieri recognizable as the pop cultural icon who won the first won America's heart in 2006 by winning the second season of The Next Food Network Star.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Feb. 2026
Less light exposure during the winter months shifts your biological clock, throwing off your hormones, mood, and sleep.
—Marisa McMillan, Outside, 20 Dec. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for throwing off
Verb
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To match the child actor who plays young Neil, Levitt wears blue contacts over his naturally brown eyes, which aren’t nearly as distracting in this pass.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
10 Feb. 2026
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Next, a Route 66 sign appears briefly along the periphery, surrounded by additional distracting road signs.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Crocodile documents growing pains within the collective, particularly as Godwin becomes interested in pursuing a music career, diverting his attention from filmmaking (he has been signed to Sony Music).—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
14 Feb. 2026
-
After diverting to Brussels, authorities removed the two passengers from the aircraft.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Throwing off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/throwing%20off. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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