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
Less than three minutes later, with Los Blancos all at sea, Luis Díaz struck a sublime effort – slightly deflected off Madrid defender Éder Militão – into the far corner of the net to give Bayern the lead on aggregate.
—
Ben Church, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026
Martone deflected a point shot from Matvei Michkov, the 21-year-old Russian who navigated an uneven first half of the season only to heat up as the games heightened in importance down the stretch.
—CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
McTavish deflected a shot by Mikael Granlund for his second goal of the night and his 17th of the season.
—Oc Register, 15 Apr. 2026
In September 2014, during a 3-2 victory over Barcelona, the Brazilian threw himself in the way of a close-range Jordi Alba shot, blocked the effort brilliantly and celebrated wildly after the ball was deflected behind.
—Stuart James, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deflect
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Ben Church, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026
Martone deflected a point shot from Matvei Michkov, the 21-year-old Russian who navigated an uneven first half of the season only to heat up as the games heightened in importance down the stretch.
—CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
McTavish deflected a shot by Mikael Granlund for his second goal of the night and his 17th of the season.
—Oc Register, 15 Apr. 2026
In September 2014, during a 3-2 victory over Barcelona, the Brazilian threw himself in the way of a close-range Jordi Alba shot, blocked the effort brilliantly and celebrated wildly after the ball was deflected behind.
—Stuart James, New York Times, 15 Apr. 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 20 Apr. 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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