as in to turn
to change the course or direction of (something)
the wind deflected the Frisbee just as I was about to lunge for it
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deflect
Pablo López raced off the mound, chasing after a ball that deflected off of his foot.
—
Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 20 Sep. 2025
But, when asked about the book’s relatively tepid judgments of the President and his party, Manchin has deflected or demurred.
—Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2025
The former prosecutor attempted to rebuff her supervisor’s advances by talking about already being in a committed relationship and deflecting his comments, the suit says.
—Sean Emery, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Because if her daytime outfit was intended to deflect the world’s gaze, her dinner gown screamed for its attention.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deflect
Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 20 Sep. 2025
But, when asked about the book’s relatively tepid judgments of the President and his party, Manchin has deflected or demurred.
—Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2025
The former prosecutor attempted to rebuff her supervisor’s advances by talking about already being in a committed relationship and deflecting his comments, the suit says.
—Sean Emery, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Because if her daytime outfit was intended to deflect the world’s gaze, her dinner gown screamed for its attention.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deflect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflect
Verb
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Today, school districts can purchase attack drones, white boards that turn into bunkers, and bullet-proof glass film, among a coterie of other high-tech products.—
Tonya Simpson,
ABC News,
24 Sep. 2025
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At the other extreme, Zankov turned argyle into a mix of color and geometry that reads maximalism at its best.—
Minty Mellon,
Vogue,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Then, lift your chest and push your hips forward to swing the kettlebell up in front of the body.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
22 Sep. 2025
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Indeed, the designs swing between minimalist and maximalist.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Shippers may consider diverting cargo to alternative airports such as Xiamen or Ezhou, Seko says.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
24 Sep. 2025
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Advertisement The recent announcement only compounds the harm, confusing parents and diverting attention and resources from questions that could actually bring answers.—
Dr. Craig Spencer,
Time,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The plan also draws on redirecting corporate income tax revenues and removing the 6% sales tax from fuel sales to allow for a 20-cent-per-gallon hike in the fuel tax, while leaving the price paid at the pump about the same.—
Paul Egan,
Freep.com,
26 Sep. 2025
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The goal is to redirect critters effectively without overly stressing them.—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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By then, the fire had burned more than a thousand acres, and the winds were starting to whip; smoke blotted out the setting sun, and the power in the area was down.—
Dana Goodyear,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
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Video from Camiguin Island, posted by the department, showed fierce winds and ocean water whipping past houses onto a residential street.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deflect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflect. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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