deflection
noun
de·flec·tion
di-ˈflek-shən 
dē-
1
: the act of changing or causing to change direction
2
: the departure of an indicator or pointer from the zero reading on the scale of an instrument
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
The film's intimate sense of joy is not a deflection against the truth of what the Johnsons are facing, but a self-conscious, honest expression of it.
—
Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026
Then team captain and newly engaged (to speedskater Brittany Bowe) Hilary Knight tied the score on a deflection.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
The decibel drama proved, intentionally or not, to be a deflection from the far more pressing issues plaguing the UConn men’s basketball team at the moment, despite a 24-3 record for which most any Huskies fan would have signed on the dotted line when the season began.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 19 Feb. 2026
There are a variety of deflection techniques that could save Earth from an incoming asteroid.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deflection
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Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026
Then team captain and newly engaged (to speedskater Brittany Bowe) Hilary Knight tied the score on a deflection.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
The decibel drama proved, intentionally or not, to be a deflection from the far more pressing issues plaguing the UConn men’s basketball team at the moment, despite a 24-3 record for which most any Huskies fan would have signed on the dotted line when the season began.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 19 Feb. 2026
There are a variety of deflection techniques that could save Earth from an incoming asteroid.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deflection
Cite this Entry
“Deflection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deflection. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical 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
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