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
de·flec·tor
də̇ˈflektə(r) 
(ˈ)dē¦f-
plural -s
: one that deflects
especially
: a baffle (as in a furnace or ventilating system or on a conveyor) to turn to one side part or all of the forward-moving stream (as of heated air)
Examples of deflect in a Sentence
Verb
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
Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 20 June 2026
Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson just stopped Haiti's best opportunity to score all night, on a corner kick that found the head of Haiti's Ade and deflected backward on an angle directly into the goal.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 June 2026
The ball deflected off an Australian defender and into the air, and the 6-3 Freeman showed his leaping ability, heading it past the outstretched arm of goalkeeper Patrick Beach and into the net.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 19 June 2026
The ball never reached Pepi, deflecting off Australia defender Cameron Burgess and into the Socceroos’ net for an own-goal.
—Arkansas Online, 19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for deflect
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Verb
McTominay’s next bid was foiled when his shot deflected off a closing Chadi Riad and into the side netting.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 20 June 2026
Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson just stopped Haiti's best opportunity to score all night, on a corner kick that found the head of Haiti's Ade and deflected backward on an angle directly into the goal.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 June 2026
The ball deflected off an Australian defender and into the air, and the 6-3 Freeman showed his leaping ability, heading it past the outstretched arm of goalkeeper Patrick Beach and into the net.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 19 June 2026
The ball never reached Pepi, deflecting off Australia defender Cameron Burgess and into the Socceroos’ net for an own-goal.
—Arkansas Online, 19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for deflect
Cite this Entry
“Deflect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deflect. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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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