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
Late in the first quarter, Daylon Everette's interception of Simpson's pass deflected by KJ Bolden gave the Bulldogs the ball near midfield.
—
CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025
Espinal Dereck tapped in a cross deflected by Point Loma Nazarene goalkeeper Jeremy Caringella eight minutes into overtime Saturday afternoon to give Midwestern State a 3-2 victory over the Sea Lions in a NCAA Division II quarterfinals match at PLNU.
—Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Dec. 2025
The pink party reached a new volume in the eighth minute as Miami took a 1-0 lead on an own goal by Vancouver’s Edier Ocampo, whose leg deflected a hard cross from Allende that was intended for Mateo Silvetti.
—Miami Herald, 7 Dec. 2025
The puck eventually made its way to Luke Hughes, whose shot was deflected by Hischier.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deflect
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CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025
Espinal Dereck tapped in a cross deflected by Point Loma Nazarene goalkeeper Jeremy Caringella eight minutes into overtime Saturday afternoon to give Midwestern State a 3-2 victory over the Sea Lions in a NCAA Division II quarterfinals match at PLNU.
—Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Dec. 2025
The pink party reached a new volume in the eighth minute as Miami took a 1-0 lead on an own goal by Vancouver’s Edier Ocampo, whose leg deflected a hard cross from Allende that was intended for Mateo Silvetti.
—Miami Herald, 7 Dec. 2025
The puck eventually made its way to Luke Hughes, whose shot was deflected by Hischier.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 7 Dec. 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 11 Dec. 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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