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
Boldy's shot was deflected by a defenseman but quickly ricocheted off the end boards to Kaprizov who tucked the puck past Swayman at the right post.
—
CBS News, 15 Dec. 2025
Or at least something to deflect with jokes.
—David Alvarado, Time, 15 Dec. 2025
Liverpool’s exposed back four retreated, and Chemsdine Talbi’s long-range effort deflected in off Van Dijk.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 12 Dec. 2025
Instead, its authors rely on misrepresentation of outdated studies to deflect from decades of research linking common-sense interventions to a 60 percent reduction in rates of depression and a 73 percent reduction in self-harm and suicidality.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deflect
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CBS News, 15 Dec. 2025
Or at least something to deflect with jokes.
—David Alvarado, Time, 15 Dec. 2025
Liverpool’s exposed back four retreated, and Chemsdine Talbi’s long-range effort deflected in off Van Dijk.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 12 Dec. 2025
Instead, its authors rely on misrepresentation of outdated studies to deflect from decades of research linking common-sense interventions to a 60 percent reduction in rates of depression and a 73 percent reduction in self-harm and suicidality.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 11 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 19 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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