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 Such a response is contrary to my intent of deflecting attention away from the subject. — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2026 Rather than simply reducing opponents’ health, players seek to break opponents’ posture by precisely deflecting and countering attacks. — Aman Kumar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflecting
  1. turning
  2. whipping
  3. diverting
  4. redirecting
  5. shifting
Verb
  • No analytics can project how Johnson’s emphasis on turning the page will affect the team’s chances in 2026.
    — Kevin Fishbain, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • As such, the candidates who have practical ideas for turning the economy around and exhibit empathy for Americans worried about how to pay their bills could receive the bulk of the union vote.
    — The Conversation, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of turning
Verb
  • Goalkeeper Emi Martinez floated a ball over Ezri Konsa to Rogers, who exchanged passes with Joao Pedro before shifting sharply onto his right foot and whipping a shot just wide of David Raya’s far post.
    — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Into the work, esparza’s has also added a scene from the Florentine Codex showing a Spaniard whipping an Indigenous person and images of ICE raids in LA and Chicago, connecting centuries of oppression together.
    — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of whipping
Verb
  • But arrest affidavits accuse the parents of diverting authorities away from the South Carolina waterways during the search.
    — Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The grand jury said a criminal case would be difficult to prove because prominent witnesses did not name who was responsible for diverting the money.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of diverting
Verb
  • On Thursday, an older gentleman started at the sign with a green arrow redirecting patrons on the post-construction path.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 30 Aug. 2026
  • His trajectory shifts when a virtual quest screen appears before him, redirecting him toward life as an army cook.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of redirecting
Verb
  • Meeting them with greater comfort, and shifting the debt onto more favourable terms, will become a key focus of Laporta’s new term.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • For Colin, the changing conditions in the mountains and a growing recognition that seasons are shifting means operators and visitors might need to recalibrate their ski calendars.
    — Rob Hodgetts, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of shifting

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deflecting
deflection
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Cite this Entry

“Deflecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflecting. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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