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
Norby homered, his second, on the first pitch from Rolddy Munoz, Ramirez pushed home another run with an infield grounder, and Jakob Marsee knocked in a run on a single that deflected off Munoz.
—
Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
Yazbek’s shot from outside the 18-yard box deflected off Charlotte’s Tim Ream and past goalie Kristijan Kahlina, putting the pressure on Charlotte to find a rhythm on offense in a hurry.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 12 Apr. 2026
The sophomore danced around a bit, then a pass intended to go out was deflected right back to LaPuma who spun left and blasted the loose ball to the back of the net from 10 yards out for a 1-0 lead.
—Charles Baggarly & Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Apr. 2026
With Wallstedt under duress and sliding from post to post, Preds star Steven Stamkos gave Nashville the game’s first lead with a wraparound that was a half-second quicker than Quinn Hughes’ attempt to deflect the puck.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deflect
Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
Yazbek’s shot from outside the 18-yard box deflected off Charlotte’s Tim Ream and past goalie Kristijan Kahlina, putting the pressure on Charlotte to find a rhythm on offense in a hurry.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 12 Apr. 2026
The sophomore danced around a bit, then a pass intended to go out was deflected right back to LaPuma who spun left and blasted the loose ball to the back of the net from 10 yards out for a 1-0 lead.
—Charles Baggarly & Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Apr. 2026
With Wallstedt under duress and sliding from post to post, Preds star Steven Stamkos gave Nashville the game’s first lead with a wraparound that was a half-second quicker than Quinn Hughes’ attempt to deflect the puck.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deflect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflect
Verb
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As Mercury joins Mars in Aries in your 9th house, curiosity turns into action and ideas want movement from you.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
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What should have been a 30-minute, easy-breezy appointment turned into a two-hour ordeal.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The public discussion still swings between utopian promise and apocalyptic dread.—
Barry R. Davis,
Boston Herald,
17 Apr. 2026
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Denver swung on Alabama’s Que Robinson as a developmental prospect in the fourth round last year on sheer upside, and Capehart could be a similar interior fit in this class.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Over fears that The Glen would divert restaurants and businesses away from the downtown area, trustees moved to require developers to put money into an account that would provide future loans to business owners looking to open up new storefronts in downtown Glenview.—
Claire Murphy,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
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Becerra’s top aide, Sean McCluskie, plead guilty in November to diverting $225,000 from Becerra’s dormant campaign funds and using the money to inflate his salary.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Those living in encampments can be redirected to areas in which schools and businesses are not within close proximity and won’t be subjected to arrest or citation.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
15 Apr. 2026
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Consumers are advised to remain cautious when browsing online, with Sunday's office adding that clicking pop-up ads or banner promotions on legitimate sites can redirect users to third-party sellers that lack protections or guarantees.—
Garrett Behanna,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Canty is one of the coaches who whips students into shape.—
Terell Bailey,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
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Johnson whipped out his phone and shared a photo of Maivia with the audience, who applauded at the likeness.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deflect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflect. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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