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
The new data could help NASA better prepare to deflect asteroids that may one day threaten the planet, the researchers say.
—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 6 Mar. 2026
Lighter colors can also deflect heat in warmer climates.
—Beth Livesay, AJC.com, 6 Mar. 2026
McDuffie blitzed and deflected the pass from 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2026
Fuerst beat his man and flicked the puck on net, deflecting off the underside of Moreland’s glove and into the net.
—Andrew Cornelius, Twin Cities, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deflect
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Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 6 Mar. 2026
Lighter colors can also deflect heat in warmer climates.
—Beth Livesay, AJC.com, 6 Mar. 2026
McDuffie blitzed and deflected the pass from 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2026
Fuerst beat his man and flicked the puck on net, deflecting off the underside of Moreland’s glove and into the net.
—Andrew Cornelius, Twin Cities, 4 Mar. 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 11 Mar. 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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