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

Although Mackert is quick to deflect the credit, Nissen will certainly give him plenty of it. — Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026

But his actions here — deflecting accountability, being vague yet defensive about his own politics — and his history with Kraft suggest his sympathies might not lie with the causes his opening acts stand for. — Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026

This imaging works by measuring how rock deflects the cosmic particles flying at these objects. — Jesse Liu, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2026

Another time, Cashman deflected a Love pass that was intercepted by cornerback James Pierre. — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 14 Sep. 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