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
Danault snapped it right back to Kaiden Guhle at the blue line and as a mass of humanity formed in front of the Vegas net, Guhle attempted a shot that quickly deflected back toward the Canadiens’ zone.
—
Arpon Basu, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
When police arrived, Kevin Castiglia confronted them, armed with two knives — including one that was stained with blood — and deflected their attempts to use a Taser to subdue him, according to the DA.
—Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Moments after his team won the AFC Championship and advanced to Super Bowl LX to play the Seahawks, Vrabel deflected credit from himself.
—Doug Kyed, Hartford Courant, 26 Jan. 2026
In the Hall effect, charge carriers are normally deflected by a magnetic field.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 14 Jan. 2026
Rodgers also had a few of his passes deflected.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Teair Tart deflected a pass into Daiyan Henley’s arms at the Patriots’ 10.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
Jaquan Brisker deflected the ball, setting off a wild celebration — and a curt handshake between Johnson and Packers coach Matt LaFleur.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2026
Jaquan Brisker deflected the ball, setting off a wild celebration -- and a curt handshake between Johnson and Packers coach Matt LaFleur.
—Andrew Seligman, Denver Post, 11 Jan. 2026
Arpon Basu, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
When police arrived, Kevin Castiglia confronted them, armed with two knives — including one that was stained with blood — and deflected their attempts to use a Taser to subdue him, according to the DA.
—Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Moments after his team won the AFC Championship and advanced to Super Bowl LX to play the Seahawks, Vrabel deflected credit from himself.
—Doug Kyed, Hartford Courant, 26 Jan. 2026
In the Hall effect, charge carriers are normally deflected by a magnetic field.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 14 Jan. 2026
Rodgers also had a few of his passes deflected.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Teair Tart deflected a pass into Daiyan Henley’s arms at the Patriots’ 10.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
Jaquan Brisker deflected the ball, setting off a wild celebration — and a curt handshake between Johnson and Packers coach Matt LaFleur.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2026
Jaquan Brisker deflected the ball, setting off a wild celebration -- and a curt handshake between Johnson and Packers coach Matt LaFleur.
—Andrew Seligman, Denver Post, 11 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflected
Verb
-
The door swung open on the second ring, and I was quickly ushered inside.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
-
But then Goetz swung back around, assumed a combat stance, and began firing.—
Heather Ann Thompson,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
For everyone other than the Hoosiers and Hurricanes, the page had been turned along with the calendar.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The innocent girl turned jaded seductress, peeling off her sheer black lingerie to pose for the camera.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In an unlit room, the children are whipped and verbally chastized.—
Blake Simons,
IndieWire,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Mountains of snow accumulated in drifts, whipped by winds of 50 mph or more.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Delta Airlines confirmed to CBS News that a flight had an engine issue, and a handful of flights that were scheduled to arrive at DTW were diverted to other airports.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
29 Jan. 2026
-
No injuries were reported, but 114 was closed and traffic was being diverted to Texas 121 south and Texas 360 south.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Shot with striking intimacy and scale, the film observes bears that are constantly monitored, photographed, and redirected.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Machado said oil revenues — long a source of corruption — must be redirected to social investment.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deflected.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflected. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
