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 was improved even more by learning how to slope the armor to deflect incoming shells and dissipate the impact.
—
David Szondy
may 07, New Atlas, 7 May 2026
On public safety concerns under her watch and the possibility of hiring more LAPD officers, Bass deflected.
—Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 7 May 2026
China may be happy to deflect these frictions and gain goodwill with Trump by showing its recent diplomacy with Iran as part of a good-faith effort to help Washington end the war.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 6 May 2026
The torsion balance rod, with smaller masses attached to it, did indeed deflect as predicted.
—Big Think, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for deflect
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David Szondy
may 07, New Atlas, 7 May 2026
On public safety concerns under her watch and the possibility of hiring more LAPD officers, Bass deflected.
—Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 7 May 2026
China may be happy to deflect these frictions and gain goodwill with Trump by showing its recent diplomacy with Iran as part of a good-faith effort to help Washington end the war.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 6 May 2026
The torsion balance rod, with smaller masses attached to it, did indeed deflect as predicted.
—Big Think, 6 May 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 10 May. 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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