deflected; deflecting; deflects
: to turn (something) aside especially from a straight course or fixed direction
armor that deflects bullets
deflecting attention from the troubled economy
deflect a question
: to turn aside : deviate
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
The building’s distinctive windows have a unique hood that provides shade while efficiently deflecting rainwater from the exterior, reducing the building’s energy needs for temperature control.
—
Jen Murphy, Outside Online, 10 May 2025
Marchand’s shot hit Toronto defenseman Morgan Rielly’s arm and deflected into the goal for the Panthers’ 5-4 win.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 10 May 2025
In The Dark Ages, standing your ground to absorb and/or deflect incoming enemy attacks is practically required at many points.
—ArsTechnica, 9 May 2025
In a statement to PEOPLE, Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman pushed back on Gottlieb's claims and accused Lively of attempting to deflect from the facts of the case.
—Elizabeth Rosner, People.com, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for deflect
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Jen Murphy, Outside Online, 10 May 2025
Marchand’s shot hit Toronto defenseman Morgan Rielly’s arm and deflected into the goal for the Panthers’ 5-4 win.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 10 May 2025
In The Dark Ages, standing your ground to absorb and/or deflect incoming enemy attacks is practically required at many points.
—ArsTechnica, 9 May 2025
In a statement to PEOPLE, Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman pushed back on Gottlieb's claims and accused Lively of attempting to deflect from the facts of the case.
—Elizabeth Rosner, People.com, 8 May 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 19 May. 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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