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
This is the first time the country has had a 41-year-old vice president serving alongside a 79-year-old president who routinely deflects attention from his lame-duck status by signaling his interest in serving an unconstitutional third term in office.
—
Daniel Bush, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
These layers deflect the energy from a punch, preventing it from spreading and causing damage.
—Carl Zimmer, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
Hagan’s initial shot on a corner was deflected to the left wing, and Cusack bursted to the loose ball to flick it in.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
The Cougars missed on a 35-yard field goal, and after getting deep on chunk plays from Paikoff to Cartyr Quartucy, a jump pass was deflected and intercepted in the endzone by Nickerson for Inglewood with 27 seconds left in the half.
—Zach Cavanagh, Oc Register, 8 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deflect
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Daniel Bush, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
These layers deflect the energy from a punch, preventing it from spreading and causing damage.
—Carl Zimmer, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
Hagan’s initial shot on a corner was deflected to the left wing, and Cusack bursted to the loose ball to flick it in.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
The Cougars missed on a 35-yard field goal, and after getting deep on chunk plays from Paikoff to Cartyr Quartucy, a jump pass was deflected and intercepted in the endzone by Nickerson for Inglewood with 27 seconds left in the half.
—Zach Cavanagh, Oc Register, 8 Nov. 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 Nov. 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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