throw off

verb

threw off; thrown off; throwing off; throws off
Synonyms of throw offnext

transitive verb

1
a
: to free oneself from : get rid of
threw off his inhibitions
b
: to cast off often in a hurried or vigorous manner : abandon
threw off all restraint
c
: distract, divert
dogs thrown off by a false scent
2
: emit, give off
stacks throwing off plumes of smoke
3
: to produce in an offhand manner : execute with speed or facility
… some little … tune that the composer had thrown off …—James Hilton
4
a
: to cause to depart from an expected or desired course
mistakes threw his calculations off a bit
b
: to cause to make a mistake : mislead
5
: earn, generate
an investment that throws off a sizable income

intransitive verb

1
: to begin hunting
2
: to make derogatory comments

Synonyms of throw off

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Examples of throw off in a Sentence

the sudden noise just threw me off completely, and I missed my shot
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First baseman Contreras fielded the throw off the bag and then threw to the plate, where catcher Connor Wong tagged Sam Antonacci for the third out. — CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026 Users who encounter the threat may see a variety of false windows designed to throw off the user from detecting the scam, according to Microsoft. — Mason Leib, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026 The film moves horizontally instead of vertically, and a lot of people get thrown off by that. — Chris Stanton, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026 At $6,500 of daily volume, a 10% tax throws off something like $650 a day. — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for throw off

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of throw off was in the 15th century

Rhymes for throw off

See All Rhymes for throw off

Browse Nearby Words

thrown silk
throw off
throw on
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Throw off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/throw%20off. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

throw off

verb
: to send out : emit
a sparkler throws off sparks

More from Merriam-Webster on throw off

Nglish: Translation of throw off for Spanish Speakers

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