Thesaurus results for DEFLECTING

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 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 These cybercriminals are like the Hollywood movie character Jason Bourne, a highly surreptitious operative who avoids detection through diversion, disguises, deflecting and blending into the environment. — Eric Herzog, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026 The ball never reached Pepi, deflecting off Australia defender Cameron Burgess and into the Socceroos’ net for an own-goal. — Andrew Destin, Fortune, 20 June 2026 Canada is up 5-0 in the 75th minute after Qatar's Mohammad Al Manai went to clear a shot on goal by Jacob Shaffelburg, only to end up deflecting it into the net for yet another goal for Canada. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 19 June 2026 The ball never reached Pepi, deflecting off Australia defender Cameron Burgess and into the Socceroos’ net for an own-goal. — Arkansas Online, 19 June 2026 Judd is great at deflecting studio notes. — Simon Bland, IndieWire, 12 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflecting

Verb

The Lakers have a history of turning undrafted players into NBA contributors.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Given modern advances, many organizations are turning towards auto-triaging by AI services and other digital tools to help ease the burden for physicians.

— Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Definition of turning

Verb

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
Olise kept his intentions hidden to the last, shaping up to cross the ball to the back post before sharply turning his hips and whipping his pass into the goalscorer’s path, breaking two defensive lines along the way.

— Thom Harris, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of whipping

Verb

But hiking defense spending means increasing taxes or diverting resources from other priorities.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 July 2026
Democrats on the House Natural Resources Committee released a report this week criticizing the president and Freedom 250, accusing it of diverting funds and misleading sponsors.

— Luke Fountain, CNBC, 3 July 2026

Definition of diverting

Verb

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
After the case was decided in the city’s favor in June, the department again declined to comment, redirecting questions to the city.

— Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of redirecting

Verb

Multiple soccer writers are reporting on social media that this game could also move time, shifting an hour later, potentially due to weather, but also possibly due to the potential overlap with the England-Mexico game.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 3 July 2026
Trump has redirected federal money to help finance billions of dollars of renovations, shifting hundreds of thousands of dollars in funds from National Parks and other programs.

— Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 3 July 2026

Definition of shifting

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deflected

deflecting

deflection

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“Deflecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflecting. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of deflecting

verb

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