as in swung
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
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of deflected
When these particles reach Earth, most are deflected by the planet’s magnetic field.
—
Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
The 20-yard screamer deflected off keeper Luca Zidane’s fingertips and bulged the back of the net.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 17 June 2026
Twice in the span of five minutes, a Croatia shot on goal was deflected and another went wide of the net.
—Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 June 2026
An own goal from a corner kick that deflected off Jordanian defender Yazan Al Arab gave Austria a 2-1 lead in the 76th minute.
—ABC News, 17 June 2026
Sandwiched by a pair of Eau Gallie defenders, Garrison went up to make a catch of a pass from Koran Palmer and had the ball knocked away by one defender and then deflected by another defender.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 June 2026
On Saturday night, John McGinn deflected a shot off an opposing defender and past goalkeeper Johny Placide in the 28th minute, and Scotland defeated Haiti 1-0 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.
—Ken Powtak, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026
Vozinha dove and extended his right arm and deflected the ball away with his fingertips.
—Tim Rohan, NBC news, 15 June 2026
The only goal of the match was netted by Scotland’s John McGinn, whose shot through a crowd at the 28th minute deflected off a Haitian defender and past goaltender Johny Placide.
—Steve Buckley, New York Times, 14 June 2026
Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
The 20-yard screamer deflected off keeper Luca Zidane’s fingertips and bulged the back of the net.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 17 June 2026
Twice in the span of five minutes, a Croatia shot on goal was deflected and another went wide of the net.
—Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 June 2026
An own goal from a corner kick that deflected off Jordanian defender Yazan Al Arab gave Austria a 2-1 lead in the 76th minute.
—ABC News, 17 June 2026
Sandwiched by a pair of Eau Gallie defenders, Garrison went up to make a catch of a pass from Koran Palmer and had the ball knocked away by one defender and then deflected by another defender.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 June 2026
On Saturday night, John McGinn deflected a shot off an opposing defender and past goalkeeper Johny Placide in the 28th minute, and Scotland defeated Haiti 1-0 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.
—Ken Powtak, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026
Vozinha dove and extended his right arm and deflected the ball away with his fingertips.
—Tim Rohan, NBC news, 15 June 2026
The only goal of the match was netted by Scotland’s John McGinn, whose shot through a crowd at the 28th minute deflected off a Haitian defender and past goaltender Johny Placide.
—Steve Buckley, New York Times, 14 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflected
Verb
-
The pendulum never really swung away from maximizing shareholder value.—
Steve Denning,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
-
The turnover swung the momentum in Minnesota’s favor.—
Jordan Puente,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Within days of the pool being refilled in early June, the water had turned green and algae-clouded amid a heat wave in Washington, DC that saw temperatures reach 100 degrees.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
23 June 2026
-
All the whistles, reviews and ejections turned the final period into an absolute marathon.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
23 June 2026
Verb
-
Dig your toes in the sand while sipping a mai tai and munching on the restaurant’s famous Bimini Bread with Aruba Glaze and whipped honey butter.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
17 June 2026
-
Adding ricotta and whipped egg white to the batter creates pancakes that are exceptionally light and tender.—
Carole Kotkin,
Miami Herald,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
The core outputs 575 megawatts of thermal energy, which can be diverted for specialized industrial processes like heavy manufacturing or water desalination.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
18 June 2026
-
Prosecutors described the case as the largest pandemic fraud scheme in the country, saying Bock diverted tens of millions in federal money intended to feed hungry children.—
Eric Henderson,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Viral video shows Kolek, beer in hand and slapping high fives with fans, being redirected behind a barricade before being allowed to pass.—
Chuck Schilken,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
-
Every analysis gets reviewed and redirected within a day.—
Andrew Antos,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deflected.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflected. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
