deflecting

verb

present participle of deflect
as in swinging
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 deflecting The former Carolina Panthers linebacker spent his 15 minutes deflecting credit and thanking others, showering dozens of people from his life with praise. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 8 Aug. 2026 The architects used building materials like bricks made of crushed sand and ash residue that have been found to be effective insulators, deflecting heat. — Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 1 Aug. 2026 This gap, if unaddressed, sabotages growth by deflecting feedback, creating imbalanced traits, and causing behavioral drift under pressure, negatively impacting teams. — Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 Hitler escaped the full force of the blast when someone moved the briefcase next to a table leg, deflecting much of the explosive force. — ABC News, 21 July 2026 If praise arrives, accept it instead of deflecting, then point to the next milestone. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026 The ensuing chaos led to Abduvohid Nematov deflecting the ball into his own net. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 14 July 2026 Maryland’s political class seems all too comfortable deflecting blame onto utility providers. — Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 8 July 2026 Malik Tillman stepped up and coolly scored on the free kick, his shot deflecting into the net off a Belgian player who was jumping as part of a wall. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 7 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflecting
  1. turning
  2. whipping
  3. diverting
  4. redirecting
  5. shifting
Verb
  • But that doesn’t mean the show is cured of its worst instincts, like turning people’s very serious, consequential life problems into entertainment.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2026
  • That rare constellation of stars aligned Sunday, turning a lucrative trading card show into a priceless event for Florida fans.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of turning
Verb
  • Harrison Ford is whipping back into blockbuster shape, as the 84-year-old is set to return as iconic adventurer Indiana Jones in a new Disney project.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Aug. 2026
  • He’s spent the last week whipping senators to support it and even enlisted former Alabama football coach Nick Saban to dial up undecided lawmakers, according to people familiar with the matter.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of whipping
Verb
  • Discovery merger as prolonged uncertainty runs the risk of diverting time and resources away from achieving these priorities.
    — Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Still, diverting textiles from landfill does not necessarily make a system circular.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of diverting
Verb
  • His campaign also has suggested redirecting money now spent on Chicago-area mass transit to maintain the roads.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The expert becomes the manager of an artificial team, reviewing, redirecting, correcting, and sharpening outputs at speed.
    — Ethan M. Stone, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of redirecting
Verb
  • Seoul's policy is shifting from demanding denuclearization to seeking arms control, and calls in Washington for a similar approach have gained traction.
    — Anthony Kuhn, NPR, 21 Aug. 2026
  • As the canal prepares to endure the shifting weather patterns, two of the ports adjacent to the waterway have remained central to a growing rift between Panama and terminal operator CK Hutchison.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of shifting

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deflecting
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Cite this Entry

“Deflecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflecting. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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