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
Rice's two-run shot came a pitch after Trent Grisham reached on a single, the ball deflecting off Leiter's glove with charging shortstop Corey Seager unable to make a barehand pickup.
—
CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
During a scrum in front of the Wild’s goal, the Stars’ captain had his stick lifted by defenseman Brock Faber in a savvy move designed to keep Benn from deflecting in the go-ahead goal.
—John Shipley, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2026
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, 25 Apr. 2026
When Kucherov went to shoot, Demidov’s stick was there, deflecting the dangerous shot over the net.
—Arpon Basu, New York Times, 23 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
CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
During a scrum in front of the Wild’s goal, the Stars’ captain had his stick lifted by defenseman Brock Faber in a savvy move designed to keep Benn from deflecting in the go-ahead goal.
—John Shipley, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2026
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, 25 Apr. 2026
When Kucherov went to shoot, Demidov’s stick was there, deflecting the dangerous shot over the net.
—Arpon Basu, New York Times, 23 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflecting
Verb
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Wednesday’s game, in particular, ended in extremely bizarre fashion with Xavier Edwards turning an unusual unassisted double play with the bases loaded and Freddie Freeman at the plate.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Gravity-defying hairstyles The eye-catching work of Elisabeth Anayes Niouky is turning heads and inspiring African women to embrace their natural hair.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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If the frosting seems soft and dense, give it a chill before whipping again.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
28 Apr. 2026
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Later that evening, three rounds of hail inundated the house, followed by two bouts of whipping winds.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But the shortages of Patriot defense systems remain a concern amid reports that the Pentagon is considering diverting advanced defensive weapons earmarked for Ukraine to the Middle East.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
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The education budget nonetheless continues to go up, hurting taxpayers and diverting funds from other important services.—
Marc Novicoff,
The Atlantic,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In basketball lore, one story credits University of Louisville players Wiley Brown and Derek Smith with making exactly that shift — redirecting a request for a low five upward into what became the high five.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
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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
Verb
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By late evening, Mercury enters Taurus, shifting focus to practical thinking and steady decisions.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
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Amid the ongoing conflict in Iran, the Saudis have signaled that their investment process is shifting.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deflecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflecting. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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