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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deflect
In this one, Matthews made the best of a power play opportunity, seeing a shot by Quinn Hughes deflect off his stick and go through Franzreb’s legs for the second goal of the game.
—
Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 15 Feb. 2026
Wenders was hardly alone in trying to deflect political crossfire.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
When asked about the league probe as to whether the Clippers illegally skirted the salary cap, Silver deflected the question, saying the league had yet to come to a decision on potential punishment, if any, on the Clippers.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 14 Feb. 2026
The goalie was caught too high up in the crease and as Peslarova reached back, Olsson’s shot deflected in off her blocker.
—ABC News, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deflect
Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 15 Feb. 2026
Wenders was hardly alone in trying to deflect political crossfire.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
When asked about the league probe as to whether the Clippers illegally skirted the salary cap, Silver deflected the question, saying the league had yet to come to a decision on potential punishment, if any, on the Clippers.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 14 Feb. 2026
The goalie was caught too high up in the crease and as Peslarova reached back, Olsson’s shot deflected in off her blocker.
—ABC News, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deflect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflect
Verb
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Kato is talking with local schools about turning Mardi Gras bead-making into a community project.—
TRAVIS LOLLER,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
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Since last fall, the Media Research Center, a right-wing organization that criticizes legacy media outlets, has turned its attention on Apple News’ story selection.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Within seconds, Perez smacked a cellphone out of the man's hand, swung at his head and tackled him to the ground.—
Sheridan Hendrix,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
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Over the past decade, screening guidelines have swung from recommending routine screening to advising against it to landing somewhere in between, and major organizations still don’t all say it the same way.—
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Similarly, when conflicts erupt unexpectedly, many flights wind up being diverted to avoid danger on the ground.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
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Time that should be spent advancing the work gets diverted to managing fallout.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Suzuki just about did it all on the tying goal, sending the puck out to the point to Devon Toews and then redirecting the defenseman’s shot that was going well wide past Lukas Dostal and into the net.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Feb. 2026
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Canada, the team and the country, could finally take a breath when Suzuki redirected defenseman Devon Toews’ shot from the point past Czechia goaltender Lukas Dostal.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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It’s inspired by a French silk pie, but without any eggs to whip.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
12 Feb. 2026
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For season 1 of The Boss, InStyle Editor in Chief Sally Holmes taps Julia Fox (Uncut Gems, Him, The Moment) as the Temporary-Permanent Ambassador of Slayage in an effort to whip the InStyle team’s style into shape ahead of New York Fashion Week.—
InStyle Editors,
InStyle,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deflect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflect. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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