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
Nonprofit watchdog group Human Rights Watch and fellow comedians like David Cross and Marc Maron, however, are saying otherwise, accusing the festival of deflecting from the country's human rights violations and slamming their peers for their involvement.
—
Jessica Wang, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2025
The former prosecutor attempted to rebuff her supervisor’s advances by talking about already being in a committed relationship and deflecting his comments, the suit says.
—Sean Emery, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Even Emma doesn’t seem that fazed when Cate confronts her, brushing her off and deflecting the blame to Jordan and Marie without any problem.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025
Fixed a bug where Executor could not use pre-inputs for actions after deflecting an enemy attack with the Cursed Sword under certain circumstances.
—Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Tart remained in the game and came up with two big plays, deflecting a pair of passes by Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes — including one on a two-point conversion attempt that would have tied the game 20-20.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2025
Bailey wound up deflecting 21 throws and picking off 10 others.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2025
Strain sensors measure the degree to which the flex is deflecting the channel, as determined by chain tension.
—New Atlas, 20 Aug. 2025
Bingham preserved the clean sheet with another diving save in the 71st minute, deflecting Tony Leone‘s shot from inside the box.
—Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 8 Aug. 2025
Jessica Wang, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2025
The former prosecutor attempted to rebuff her supervisor’s advances by talking about already being in a committed relationship and deflecting his comments, the suit says.
—Sean Emery, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Even Emma doesn’t seem that fazed when Cate confronts her, brushing her off and deflecting the blame to Jordan and Marie without any problem.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025
Fixed a bug where Executor could not use pre-inputs for actions after deflecting an enemy attack with the Cursed Sword under certain circumstances.
—Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Tart remained in the game and came up with two big plays, deflecting a pair of passes by Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes — including one on a two-point conversion attempt that would have tied the game 20-20.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2025
Bailey wound up deflecting 21 throws and picking off 10 others.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2025
Strain sensors measure the degree to which the flex is deflecting the channel, as determined by chain tension.
—New Atlas, 20 Aug. 2025
Bingham preserved the clean sheet with another diving save in the 71st minute, deflecting Tony Leone‘s shot from inside the box.
—Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflecting
Verb
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Kempes scored his second on the stroke of half-time in extra time, bundling his way past two Dutch defenders and goalkeeper Jongbloed before scrappily turning home a shot that deflected in off Wim Suurbier.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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Knudsen, chief scientific adviser in research and early development at Novo Nordisk, played a pivotal role in turning it into an effective drug promoting weight loss that millions of people take today.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The wind was whipping this past week at McGrath Stadium, mist in the air.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
29 Sep. 2025
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Video from Camiguin Island, posted by the Philippines Department of the Interior and Local Government, showed fierce winds and ocean water whipping past houses onto a residential street.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Global organization Human Rights Watch accused the festival of diverting attention away from allegations of the government’s severe repression of free speech and criticized comedians for performing on the behest of an oppressive regime.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
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The disruption came just a day after flights were halted Thursday night following earlier drone reports, stranding thousands of passengers and diverting flights across the region.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The plan also draws on redirecting corporate income tax revenues and removing the 6% sales tax from fuel sales to allow for a 20-cent-per-gallon hike in the fuel tax, while leaving the price paid at the pump about the same.—
Paul Egan,
Freep.com,
26 Sep. 2025
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Though the tiny asteroid posed no threat to Earth, NASA had set out to test a method of redirecting the orbital paths of threatening objects hurtling toward Earth.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Fading from an emerald green up front to a Prince-like purple, the shades represent the shifting moods that inspired the sneaker.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
27 Sep. 2025
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The findings highlight a shifting landscape of political violence, marked by growing leftist activity and waning threats from right-wing groups.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deflecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflecting. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
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