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
Davis had three pass breakups on Cincinnati’s final drive, a 13-play series that resulted in a turnover on downs when Marcus Jones deflected a fourth-down pass intended for tight end Mike Gesicki in the final seconds.
—
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 23 Nov. 2025
On a deep pass, the ball was deflected and then intercepted by Aiden Adams.
—Jordan Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Nov. 2025
All six required no effort to deflect and spin around in their respective orbits.
—PC Magazine, 22 Nov. 2025
With the Kraken on the power play, Schwartz put them ahead, deflecting Montour's pass to the right doorstep through Knight's five-hole.
—CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deflect
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Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 23 Nov. 2025
On a deep pass, the ball was deflected and then intercepted by Aiden Adams.
—Jordan Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Nov. 2025
All six required no effort to deflect and spin around in their respective orbits.
—PC Magazine, 22 Nov. 2025
With the Kraken on the power play, Schwartz put them ahead, deflecting Montour's pass to the right doorstep through Knight's five-hole.
—CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deflect
Cite this Entry
“Deflect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deflect. Accessed 25 Nov. 2025.
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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