deflection
noun
de·flec·tion
di-ˈflek-shən 
dē-
1
: a turning aside or off course : deviation
2
: the departure of an indicator or pointer from the zero reading on the scale of an instrument
Synonyms
Examples of deflection in a Sentence
measuring the angle of deflection
He scored with a deflection off another player's stick.
Recent Examples on the Web
Bullock was named a freshman All-American in 2021 after tallying 39 tackles, two interceptions and three pass deflections.
—
Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2023
That drought continued Saturday, with Hollingshead putting LAFC in front to stay seven minutes into the second half, knocking in another deflection, this one off a Bouanga shot, from the top of the six-yard box.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2023
His third-down deflection forced another Burrow incompletion a bit later.
—Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 18 Sep. 2023
And in the case of the Maine shooting, this is a rather useful deflection.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 27 Oct. 2023
Meantime, some 40 spots after Murray went 20th, the Chiefs took Mississippi State linebacker Willie Gay — but Gay has outperformed Murray’s through three-plus seasons and Sunday had a sack and third-down pass deflection.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2023
Two minutes later, Tankersley added a third goal with a left-footed finish that took a deflection on its way to the goal.
—Andrew Joseph, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2023
In a 40-7 win over Shrewsbury Sunday, the senior corner started the scoring with a 65-yard punt return in the first quarter, had a 40-yard pick-six in the second, and added two pass deflections and seven tackles.
—Nate Weitzer, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Sep. 2023
Leigh-Anne serves as the audience’s personal white guilt deflection mechanism.
—Gerald Nesmith, Essence, 1 Sep. 2023
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Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2023
That drought continued Saturday, with Hollingshead putting LAFC in front to stay seven minutes into the second half, knocking in another deflection, this one off a Bouanga shot, from the top of the six-yard box.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2023
His third-down deflection forced another Burrow incompletion a bit later.
—Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 18 Sep. 2023
And in the case of the Maine shooting, this is a rather useful deflection.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 27 Oct. 2023
Meantime, some 40 spots after Murray went 20th, the Chiefs took Mississippi State linebacker Willie Gay — but Gay has outperformed Murray’s through three-plus seasons and Sunday had a sack and third-down pass deflection.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2023
Two minutes later, Tankersley added a third goal with a left-footed finish that took a deflection on its way to the goal.
—Andrew Joseph, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2023
In a 40-7 win over Shrewsbury Sunday, the senior corner started the scoring with a 65-yard punt return in the first quarter, had a 40-yard pick-six in the second, and added two pass deflections and seven tackles.
—Nate Weitzer, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Sep. 2023
Leigh-Anne serves as the audience’s personal white guilt deflection mechanism.
—Gerald Nesmith, Essence, 1 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deflection.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near deflection
Cite this Entry
“Deflection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deflection. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Medical Definition
deflection
noun
de·flec·tion
di-ˈflek-shən
1
: a turning aside or deviation from a straight line
2
: the departure of an indicator or pointer from the zero reading on the scale of an instrument
More from Merriam-Webster on deflection
Nglish: Translation of deflection for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of deflection for Arabic Speakers
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