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deflection

noun
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de·​flec·​tion | \ di-ˈflek-shən How to pronounce deflection (audio) , dē- \

Definition of deflection

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
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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 Gase’s entire head coaching career, dating back to his three seasons with the Miami Dolphins, has been a tour de force of blame deflection and expectation tempering. — New York Times, "Perform Abysmally, Defend Yourself Vehemently: The Adam Gase Way," 2 Dec. 2020 The first was a deflection off the hands of Eubanks. — Orion Sang, Detroit Free Press, "Does Michigan football have a QB controversy? Harbaugh: 'We gotta evaluate all things'," 15 Nov. 2020 Fellow senior Ryan Globokar — who added an interception after Vincent’s pick, leading to another touchdown — had an interception, fumble recovery and vital deflection in the end zone the previous week against Northwest. — Matt Goul, cleveland, "How Avon’s seniors closed the gap against their biggest rival | OHSAA football playoff takeaways," 9 Nov. 2020 The result: a deflection, and an interception for Jaylin Williams, who IU named its internal defensive player of the game Monday. — Zach Osterman, The Indianapolis Star, "Film room: Showing you how IU's secondary was the difference in Rutgers win," 2 Nov. 2020 Perhaps the most impressive play of the game was Kendricks' no-look deflection deep down the middle of the field while running stride for stride with Packers receiver Davante Adams. — Star Tribune, "Vikings spotlight: Linebacker Eric Kendricks," 1 Nov. 2020 But this is a dangerous deflection from the real national-security problem at hand: adversary deterrence. — WSJ, "What Deters the Aggression of Cyberwarfare?," 16 Oct. 2020 The former Florida and Butler Community College (Kan.) transfer had three tackles with a sack but his most memorable play from that day was a pass-deflection at the line scrimmage with the Hornets driving in UAB territory. — Evan Dudley, al, "‘This was not the end’: Jordan Smith finds redemption with UAB," 14 Oct. 2020 Nearly as impressive was Leal’s deflection when he was asked about the interception. — Brent Zwerneman, ExpressNews.com, "Texas A&M has a catch in defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal," 5 Oct. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'deflection.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of deflection

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Time Traveler for deflection

Time Traveler

The first known use of deflection was in 1605

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Statistics for deflection

Last Updated

9 Dec 2020

Cite this Entry

“Deflection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deflection. Accessed 14 Dec. 2020.

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More Definitions for deflection

deflection

noun
How to pronounce deflection (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of deflection

: the act of changing or causing something to change direction

See the full definition for deflection in the English Language Learners Dictionary

deflection

noun
de·​flec·​tion | \ di-ˈflek-shən How to pronounce deflection (audio) \

Medical Definition of deflection

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

Other Words from deflection

deflect \ di-​ˈflekt How to pronounce deflect (audio) \ verb

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More from Merriam-Webster on deflection

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for deflection

Nglish: Translation of deflection for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of deflection for Arabic Speakers

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