deflect

verb

de·​flect di-ˈflekt 

dē-

deflected; deflecting; deflects

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to hit something and change direction

the shot deflected off the goalie's shoulder pad

deflectable

di-ˈflek-tə-bəl 

dē-

adjective

deflective

di-ˈflek-tiv 

dē-

adjective

deflector

di-ˈflek-tər 

dē-

noun

Synonyms of deflect

• turn
• swing
• divert
• redirect
• whip

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

The author criticizes OpenAI's narrative as a marketing tactic, deflecting from its responsibility for inadequate test environments. — Lutz Finger, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

When the opportunity arrives, Graves always seems to be in the correct position to knock down an open 3-pointer, deflect an opponent’s pass, grab a loose ball or snag a rebound. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 27 July 2026

France hit a comebacker that deflected off Petersen’s forearm and toward catcher Joe Mack, who threw France out at first. — ABC News, 26 July 2026

Perhaps Messi’s greatest gift is this ability to control his opponent’s attention, to deflect and attract it at will. — Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 18 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin deflectere to bend down, turn aside, from de- + flectere to bend

First Known Use

circa 1555, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for deflect

• affect
• aspect
• bedecked
• bisect
• collect
• connect
• correct
• detect
• direct
• dissect
• effect
• eject

Kids 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

-ˈflek-shən

noun