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
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Recent Examples of deflecting
Thomas was a second-team All-ACC selection, and he was named the Fiesta Bowl defensive MVP after making five tackles and deflecting two passes.
—
Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
Earlier this month, Rogan drew criticism after a tense appearance by Von on The Joe Rogan Experience in which Von pushed back on political topics harder than almost any guest had in years — with Rogan, according to observers, deflecting rather than engaging.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
Not so long ago, stars typically hid their nips and tucks, deflecting questions about plastic surgery or even denying it, instead crediting a disciplined diet or skin-care regimen.
—Rheana Murray, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
Broadcast replays showed the ball deflecting off his face before striking catcher Logan O'Hoppe.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 19 Apr. 2026
Thus when medical exemptions are granted, they should be accompanied with apologies or other means of deflecting the cause from those likely to be hurt.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026
Kraken goalie Joey Daccord stopped Joel Eriksson Ek’s initial shot, with the rebound popping up and hitting Boldy in the chest, before deflecting off his stick and into the net.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 8 Apr. 2026
Murray-Boyles’ game, after all, is based on deflecting passes and disrupting the opposition’s movement.
—Eric Koreen, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Zucker scored less than four minutes later by deflecting in Byram’s shot from the blue line.
—ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
Earlier this month, Rogan drew criticism after a tense appearance by Von on The Joe Rogan Experience in which Von pushed back on political topics harder than almost any guest had in years — with Rogan, according to observers, deflecting rather than engaging.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
Not so long ago, stars typically hid their nips and tucks, deflecting questions about plastic surgery or even denying it, instead crediting a disciplined diet or skin-care regimen.
—Rheana Murray, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
Broadcast replays showed the ball deflecting off his face before striking catcher Logan O'Hoppe.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 19 Apr. 2026
Thus when medical exemptions are granted, they should be accompanied with apologies or other means of deflecting the cause from those likely to be hurt.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026
Kraken goalie Joey Daccord stopped Joel Eriksson Ek’s initial shot, with the rebound popping up and hitting Boldy in the chest, before deflecting off his stick and into the net.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 8 Apr. 2026
Murray-Boyles’ game, after all, is based on deflecting passes and disrupting the opposition’s movement.
—Eric Koreen, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Zucker scored less than four minutes later by deflecting in Byram’s shot from the blue line.
—ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflecting
Verb
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In February, O’Neil told the Financial Times that LIV was five to ten years away from turning a profit.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
23 Apr. 2026
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In North Hollywood, a group of neighbors has banded together, turning their daily dog walking into impromptu neighborhood watches.—
Austin Turner,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Quié kept getting up, sitting down, calling out to people in the street, checking on the kitchen, and whipping out his phone to film promotional videos.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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As Aubry points out, Cirie is out there whipping votes and changing almost everyone’s minds.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After seeing the image, the Daejeon city government issued an emergency text warning residents of a wolf in the area, and police even reportedly showed the photo at a press briefing while diverting resources to search the area, the BBC reported.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
24 Apr. 2026
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In 2021, the president’s son Teodoro was sanctioned in the United Kingdom for diverting millions of dollars, which officials claimed were used to purchase luxury mansions, private jets, and a $275,000 glove once worn by Michael Jackson.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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To sharpen this focus, the agency is pausing the orbital Gateway Program, redirecting all resources toward establishing a permanent surface base at the lunar south pole.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Apr. 2026
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Each child who enrolls in Success Academy will draw in state per-pupil dollars with them, redirecting funding away from the district.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That debate intensified this March, when city officials outlined multiple options for restructuring the city’s approach to homelessness, including maintaining LAHSA with reforms, shifting responsibilities to the county, or bringing more programs in-house.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
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By evening, disruptive Uranus enters Gemini, shifting conversations, decisions, and how information moves through your world.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deflecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflecting. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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