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

Relevance

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 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 Maryland’s political class seems all too comfortable deflecting blame onto utility providers. — Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 8 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflecting

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

Whisk with ¾ cup whole milk and use in any sweet recipe that doesn’t require whipping.

— Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Aug. 2026
At the landing zone, with bullets whipping and cracking around them, Capers—barely clinging to consciousness—refused to board the helicopter until every last man, and his dog’s body, was aboard.

— Ethan Rocke, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of whipping

Verb

This year alone, $5 billion in taxpayer funds will be siphoned away from public schools to prop up Florida’s unaccountable voucher program, diverting dollars from the more than 80% of children who attend public schools.

— Andrew Spar, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
All this scattershot world-building and world-visiting allows for some colorfully diverting vignettes, in which production designer Alexandra Walker and costume designer Ann Maskrey get to show off their giddy, gaudy wares.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of diverting

Verb

The war was top of mind at last year’s festival as well, where thousands gathered for a large pro-Palestinian protest during one of the busiest nights in hopes of redirecting the spotlight from the movie stars to the real world.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
However, the city expects to use economic activity taxes generated by the stadium, a special 1% sales tax in the stadium and redirecting new tax revenue from existing development in the area, among other sources.

— Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of redirecting

Browse Nearby Words

deflected

deflecting

deflection

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Deflecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflecting. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of deflecting

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

gumption

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes