deflected; deflecting; deflects
1
: to cause (something) to change direction especially from a straight course
armor that deflects bullets
deflecting attention from the troubled economy
deflect a question
2
: to keep (something, as a question) from affecting or being directed at a person or thing
was able to deflect criticism
: to hit something and change direction
the shot deflected off the goalie's shoulder pad
Examples of deflect in a Sentence
armor that can deflect bullets
The goalie deflected the ball with his hands.
The ball deflected off the goalie's shoulder.
They are trying to deflect attention from the troubled economy.
The blame was deflected from the chairman.
Recent Examples on the Web
Tari Eason’s inbounds pass was deflected; Davion Mitchell was credited with the steal.
—
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2026
The ball, however, ever so slightly ticked Joshua’s Josh Martinez and deflected toward the Scorpion’s Diego Garcia who was in perfect position to punch it in.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Mar. 2026
Emma Peschel beat the first-period buzzer with a slap shot to make it 4-0 and Sara Swiderski sent a shot from the blue line that deflected into the goal in the third.
—ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
Second baseman Donovan Walton fielded a ball that deflected off first baseman Mancini, and then threw to Romano covering the bag in time for the out.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deflect
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Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2026
The ball, however, ever so slightly ticked Joshua’s Josh Martinez and deflected toward the Scorpion’s Diego Garcia who was in perfect position to punch it in.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Mar. 2026
Emma Peschel beat the first-period buzzer with a slap shot to make it 4-0 and Sara Swiderski sent a shot from the blue line that deflected into the goal in the third.
—ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
Second baseman Donovan Walton fielded a ball that deflected off first baseman Mancini, and then threw to Romano covering the bag in time for the out.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deflect
Cite this Entry
“Deflect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deflect. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
deflect
verb
de·flect
di-ˈflekt 
: to turn or cause to turn aside (as from a course, direction, or position)
a bullet deflected by striking a wall
deflection
noun
-ˈflek-shən
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