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 Users can stow it in their pockets, then open it up and watch a movie on its matte, light-deflecting surface. — Andrew R. Chow, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 Indeed, many have credited Lee Krasner with deflecting Pollock’s attention from Benton and focusing it on the great modern masters. — Barbara Rose, Vogue, 11 Oct. 2026 Then Nanclares made a wonderful save, deflecting Sophia Wilson's long-distance effort off the crossbar. — ABC News, 10 Oct. 2026 Two experiments but same result The researchers operated the QPC in a weak-backscattering regime, allowing most quasiparticles to pass while randomly deflecting a small fraction. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026 But his actions here — deflecting accountability, being vague yet defensive about his own politics — and his history with Kraft suggest his sympathies might not lie with the causes his opening acts stand for. — Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflecting
  1. turning
  2. whipping
  3. diverting
  4. redirecting
  5. shifting
Verb
  • The chaparral, meanwhile, burns hot, turning a small fire into an intense blaze.
    — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • So turning the lights on and off repeatedly actually may not be in your best interest.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of turning
Verb
  • Now imagine whipping your phone out after work, telling the world about it, and landing a brand deal worth $10K or more.
    — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Now imagine the same hot and dry conditions, but with the Santa Anas whipping at 40 miles an hour.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of whipping
Verb
  • At the time, RTCM said the deal would expand its capacity and support a goal of diverting 100 million pounds of textiles from landfills annually.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The transfers have allowed the Senate GOP group to support Paxton without diverting resources away from Republicans in other competitive races across the country.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of diverting
Verb
  • This 10-minute control cuts off that reconnaissance and stops attackers from redirecting replies or password-reset messages.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • If aggressive payments have left little or nothing in reserve, temporarily redirecting some extra money to savings may help break that cycle.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of redirecting
Verb
  • The two built the models that modern central banks use to stabilize the economy, shifting macro policymakers’ focus from big economic variables like inflation and unemployment to the actual decisions of individuals.
    — Dario Marino, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The attorney characterized the company's earlier responses as providing limited information while shifting blame and responsibility to others.
    — Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 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 22 Oct. 2026.

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