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 victim in the case was just 7 years old when she was kidnapped, raped, strangled, stuffed in the trunk of a car and then thrown off a bridge after being wrapped in a blanket and having a bag tied over her head, according to the Worcester County District Attorney's Office.
—
Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
Without it, in theory, the player might feel thrown off or less secure in their serve, which, in turn, could affect the trajectory of the point (and potentially the game, and then the set, and then the match, because in tennis, it all snowballs.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 5 Sep. 2025
Perhaps there’s something salutary about being thrown off-balance, the novel suggests.
—Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
Videos taken on board the Carnival Panorama earlier this week show dishes sliding off tables in the dining room, water emerging out of an elevator, merchandise thrown off their displays and children screaming.
—Colson Thayer, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025
The motorcyclist was thrown off his bike, according to police.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2025
And don’t be thrown off when a few seconds later, there is an isolated laugh when that lone guy in the back of the room suddenly got the joke.
—Jay Sullivan, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
The driver and passenger on the bike were both thrown off.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 20 Aug. 2025
The sheriff's office said an initial investigation revealed Mexicano struck the SUV and was thrown off the motorcycle about 50 yards onto the freeway.
—Drake Bentley, jsonline.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
Without it, in theory, the player might feel thrown off or less secure in their serve, which, in turn, could affect the trajectory of the point (and potentially the game, and then the set, and then the match, because in tennis, it all snowballs.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 5 Sep. 2025
Perhaps there’s something salutary about being thrown off-balance, the novel suggests.
—Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
Videos taken on board the Carnival Panorama earlier this week show dishes sliding off tables in the dining room, water emerging out of an elevator, merchandise thrown off their displays and children screaming.
—Colson Thayer, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025
The motorcyclist was thrown off his bike, according to police.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2025
And don’t be thrown off when a few seconds later, there is an isolated laugh when that lone guy in the back of the room suddenly got the joke.
—Jay Sullivan, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
The driver and passenger on the bike were both thrown off.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 20 Aug. 2025
The sheriff's office said an initial investigation revealed Mexicano struck the SUV and was thrown off the motorcycle about 50 yards onto the freeway.
—Drake Bentley, jsonline.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thrown off
Verb
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The walk to the penalty spot didn’t feel long for Bronze, partly because she was distracted by the strapping.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
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First published in 1985, the book warned that the threat to American democracy came not from state repression, but from a culture distracted by amusement.—
Time,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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There have been reports of Shaheds used in this way, and some discussion about whether drones should be diverted from the strategic campaign for tactical use.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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The study also found that nearly half the respondents — highest on record — had diverted investments planned for China to other regions, primarily Southeast Asia.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Thrown off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thrown%20off. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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