deflected

verb

past tense of deflect
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

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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 Kate Faasse equalized for the Dash in the 42nd minute after Kiki Van Zanten’s shot deflected off North Carolina goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan. — ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026 The veteran delivered for the Sox with a single that deflected off the glove of diving shortstop Kevin McGonigle and trickled into left field. — Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026 Jackson Stecher’s throw to Noah de la Cruz in the back of the end zone is deflected out of bounds by Jamari Lewis on the final play of the half. — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026 The president also has deflected criticism of their impact on consumer prices by claiming erroneously that foreigners pay for them. — Kent Jones, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026 Both passes deflected off a player, the first off WR Terrace Marshall and the second off WR Tutu Atwell. — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026 Penix’s lone misstep was a near-interception to safety Xavier Watts, who ranged to his left and deflected a pass thrown slightly behind receiver Chris Blair. — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Dugger also had a would-be pick-six Wednesday on an Adrian Martinez pass deflected by Jones. — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2026 Driscoll deflected questions about the nation’s munitions stockpiles. — Konstantin Toropin, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflected
  1. swung
  2. turned
  3. whipped
  4. diverted
  5. redirected
Verb
  • Prices of the precious commodity have swung dramatically from one season to the next, particularly as issues such as climate change, water scarcity and pest and disease pressures persist.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The club opted against a lengthy pre-season trip to North America, Oceania, or East Asia, preferring a smaller-scale tour in which the squad swung back to the Carrington training ground after playing across a host of European cities.
    — Carl Anka, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of swung
Verb
  • Black took eight carries in Thursday’s victory over the Chargers and turned them into 33 yards.
    — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Near the left corner of the 6-yard box, Pereyra turned and flicked a shot inside the back post.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of turned
Verb
  • Spread remaining 1 cup whipped topping over pie; garnish with additional lime zest.
    — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Howling winds whipped palm trees and waterways swelled with fast-moving runoff from relentless rain that blew nearly sideways.
    — Alexa St. John, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of whipped
Verb
  • But the focus on fees and expenses also diverted the attention of investors.
    — Bob Carlson, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Some critics saw them as little more than a handout that diverted resources from more pressing needs such as healthcare and education.
    — Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of diverted
Verb
  • Youssef Maziz played a free kick from the right side into the area that was redirected by Ebobisse off the back post and into the net.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The changes would give political appointees more discretion over which projects receive funding and allow funding to be canceled or redirected as federal priorities change.
    — Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of redirected

Browse Nearby Words

deflect
deflected
deflecting
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Cite this Entry

“Deflected.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflected. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on deflected

Nglish: Translation of deflected for Spanish Speakers

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