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
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Recent Examples of deflecting
Their only goal came from Jean-Philippe Mateta deflecting a Will Hughes shot despite having 74 per cent possession and 25 shots.
—
Liam Tharme, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
Fans interpreted his remarks as throwing his teammate under the bus while deflecting blame away from himself.
—Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Many hostage families have blamed the Israeli leader for prolonging the war, deflecting responsibility for the October 7 attacks, and sabotaging negotiations around the release of the hostages and an end to the war.
—Kara Fox, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
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
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
Liam Tharme, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
Fans interpreted his remarks as throwing his teammate under the bus while deflecting blame away from himself.
—Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Many hostage families have blamed the Israeli leader for prolonging the war, deflecting responsibility for the October 7 attacks, and sabotaging negotiations around the release of the hostages and an end to the war.
—Kara Fox, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflecting
Verb
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With goal difference not a factor in this three-match format, there was no incentive for Miami to push forward in the final period, and Nashville never looked like turning the contest around.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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But Drew Mestekmaker and North Texas’ high-flying offense wouldn’t be denied, turning a three-point deficit midway through the third quarter into a 34-point road victory, keeping their College Football Playoff hopes alive.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Strong, whipping winds are expected to continue across Jamaica throughout the night.—
Matt Nighswander,
NBC news,
29 Oct. 2025
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The photo of Chastain whipping off her jersey, shouting in triumph, her sinewy arms flexed, was immediately historic.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The plan included launching a mobile booking station to quickly issue citations, stricter curfew and firearm enforcement, and increasing police presence by diverting patrol officers to high-traffic entertainment areas.—
Angelika Ytuarte,
jsonline.com,
22 Oct. 2025
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In total, Alex was found to have embezzled more than $6 million from at least two dozen clients, inflating fees or expenses and diverting settlement money into his own accounts, per PBS.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Trump has said the government must reopen, but also used the shutdown to cut federal positions and target programs Democrats favor, while redirecting funds to his own priorities — like covering military paychecks.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
29 Oct. 2025
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Deliberation briefly turned contentious when Councilmember Michael Inzunza, who represents the district where the park will be built, proposed redirecting the effort toward a larger, regional park before ultimately joining the majority.—
Walker Armstrong,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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While young players like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and others are fighting for better pay for their industry-shifting work, college football programs are shelling out $40 million to $50 million payouts to get their underperforming coaches to stop showing up to the office.—
J.J. Bailey,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
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This season, many of China’s rising stars did exactly that — flying from Paris back to Shanghai overnight, shifting seamlessly from runway storytelling to retail strategy.—
Li Jun,
Footwear News,
2 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deflecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflecting. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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