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
But a number of architects and preservation groups provided their opinions of the 90,000 square foot project, generally characterizing it as way out of scale with the Executive Residence, the main part of the White House, while throwing off the symmetry of the grounds.
—
Ted Johnson, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
Staff say the theft forced them to reshuffle routes, delay pickups and scramble to notify parents – throwing off entire school days.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Musgrove will have to progress to throwing off a mound to bullpens to live batting practice to likely minor league rehab games before the Padres can think about activating him.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Miler, currently dealing with lower back tightness, is scheduled to throw a side session on Wednesday after being limited to throwing off flat ground.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
This tasty herb uses its eucalyptus-like scent to confuse insects in the area by throwing off the cherry smell with something more pungent.
—Ashlyn Needham, The Spruce, 16 Feb. 2026
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
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
Ted Johnson, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
Staff say the theft forced them to reshuffle routes, delay pickups and scramble to notify parents – throwing off entire school days.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Musgrove will have to progress to throwing off a mound to bullpens to live batting practice to likely minor league rehab games before the Padres can think about activating him.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Miler, currently dealing with lower back tightness, is scheduled to throw a side session on Wednesday after being limited to throwing off flat ground.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
This tasty herb uses its eucalyptus-like scent to confuse insects in the area by throwing off the cherry smell with something more pungent.
—Ashlyn Needham, The Spruce, 16 Feb. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for throwing off
Verb
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Not all Mauss’s material lends equally well to visualizations, and there are moments in the special when the animations are more distracting than additive.—
Hershal Pandya,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
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The combination with the neutral dark-blue jean skirt keeps the look still feeling grown-up and not too distracting.—
Jana Ackermann,
Glamour,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Iran war is currently a top priority for the United States and risks diverting resources that Kyiv needs, such as air defense systems, while providing Russia with windfall profits through high energy prices.—
Lorne Cook,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
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Prosecutors said the scheme netted Smith more than $8 million by diverting royalty payments away from legitimate artists.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Throwing off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/throwing%20off. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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