deflect

verb

de·​flect di-ˈflekt How to pronounce deflect (audio)
dē-
deflected; deflecting; deflects

transitive verb

: to turn (something) aside especially from a straight course or fixed direction
armor that deflects bullets
deflecting attention from the troubled economy
deflect a question

intransitive verb

: to turn aside : deviate
the shot deflected off the goalie's shoulder pad
deflectable adjective
deflective adjective
deflector noun

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
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.
Coming off the positive of his first career touchdown Saturday, Perich mostly deflected questions on what this moment meant for him, especially in the context of the Cal game. Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 12 Oct. 2025 Many hostage families have blamed the Israeli leader for prolonging the war, deflecting responsibility for the October 7 attacks, and sabotaging negotiations around the release of the hostages and an end to the war. Kara Fox, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025 Chris Richards had a chance saved off the post, Balogun curled one just off target, while an Aidan Morris shot unfortunately deflected off Tim Weah. Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025 But behind the scenes, Republican insiders say there’s anything but silence about the audit, describing a flurry of private conversations where people from various wings of the party are trying to both deflect and cast blame. Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deflect

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of deflect was circa 1555

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Deflect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deflect. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

deflect

verb
de·​flect di-ˈflekt How to pronounce deflect (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on deflect

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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