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 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 De Ketelaere again pressured Freese, deflecting the ball back to Hans Vanaken who had an open net to shoot at. — Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 6 July 2026 The sequence started with Bosnian defender Stjepan Radeljic sliding in front of a Tillman pass, deflecting it forward toward Muharemovic. — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 At every turn, Kramer’s reply was some form of deflecting that credit while underscoring it’s taken everyone. — Kansas City Star, 30 June 2026 The juror asked about it two more times, but Uebelhoer kept deflecting. — Joaquin Sapien, ProPublica, 30 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflecting
  1. turning
  2. whipping
  3. diverting
  4. redirecting
  5. shifting
Verb
  • But the China demand story is mostly one of extreme preparedness rather than the world’s second-largest economy turning its back on oil.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
  • Their fans have provided the electricity of this tournament, travelling in huge numbers, turning Kansas City, Atlanta, Miami and Dallas into oceans of blue and white.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Definition of turning
Verb
  • Hanoi’s famous egg coffee—made by whipping egg yolks with sugar and condensed milk into a rich, velvety foam—was born during a time when fresh milk was scarce.
    — Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 9 July 2026
  • Onstage, Shakira unleashed her inner rock star during the song, working the stage and the mic stand in a purple corset and matching fringe pants and whipping her lengthy curls like a weapon.
    — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 7 July 2026
Definition of whipping
Verb
  • By still spending so much on conventional manned equipment, the United States and many other countries are diverting funds from more efficient systems.
    — Phillips Payson O’Brien, The Atlantic, 18 July 2026
  • Abu Dhabi and Riyadh have ramped exports through those pipelines, diverting millions of barrels per day around Hormuz.
    — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 16 July 2026
Definition of diverting
Verb
  • The cy pres doctrine prevents it from redirecting funds to other institutions, such as nearby public schools, or related purposes, such as college scholarships for low-income students.
    — Thomas Adam, The Conversation, 16 July 2026
  • Abruzzo, the county administrator, insisted none of those projects have been put on hold and the county will not be redirecting airport funds to the renaming effort — despite the airport website’s claim about airport revenues funding the effort.
    — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 9 July 2026
Definition of redirecting
Verb
  • The audience — all Christians themselves — darted worried looks to one another, shifting uncomfortably in their seats.
    — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026
  • And with looming questions about tariffs, labor markets, and shifting political conditions, many companies are treating automation as a long-term hedge against uncertainty, not a one-time upgrade.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 17 July 2026
Definition of shifting

Browse Nearby Words

deflected
deflecting
deflection
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Cite this Entry

“Deflecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflecting. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on deflecting

Nglish: Translation of deflecting for Spanish Speakers

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