Thesaurus results for DEFLECTING

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 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 The architects used building materials like bricks made of crushed sand and ash residue that have been found to be effective insulators, deflecting heat. — Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 1 Aug. 2026 This gap, if unaddressed, sabotages growth by deflecting feedback, creating imbalanced traits, and causing behavioral drift under pressure, negatively impacting teams. — Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 Hitler escaped the full force of the blast when someone moved the briefcase next to a table leg, deflecting much of the explosive force. — ABC News, 21 July 2026 If praise arrives, accept it instead of deflecting, then point to the next milestone. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflecting

Verb

Clemons had served as the founding CEO of both ConnCAT and ConnCORP, turning them into hubs for economic and community revitalization that aimed to center the experiences and needs of residents in New Haven’s Dixwell and Newhallville neighborhoods.

— P.R. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
But Rattler fumbled right before crossing the goal line, turning the ball over.

— Joel Beers, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of turning

Verb

In whipping rain and wind in New Jersey, the New York Giants held on for a 12-7 win in their first game since quarterback Jaxson Dart suffered a season-ending knee injury.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 28 Sep. 2026
Goalkeeper Emi Martinez floated a ball over Ezri Konsa to Rogers, who exchanged passes with Joao Pedro before shifting sharply onto his right foot and whipping a shot just wide of David Raya’s far post.

— Liam Twomey, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of whipping

Verb

All seemed right in the world until 2008, when Cook discovered that McCauley had been diverting funds for years, forging bank statements and checks and making large withdrawals.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026
The bill calls for diverting 60% of the city's garbage from landfills and incineration over the next 20 years.

— Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of diverting

Verb

The financing plan is multi-layered, and other revenue sources eyed for covering the city’s portion include redirecting revenue generated by the future stadium itself.

— Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026
Macklemore is redirecting the conversation surrounding his Ed Sheeran tour controversy.

— Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of redirecting

Verb

The announcements came at Meta Connect 2026 as the company continues shifting its wearable strategy toward glasses and its personal AI agent, Muse.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2026
Then came a quieter reaction—people shifting in their seats, glancing at one another, going still in a way that had nothing to do with boredom.

— Julian De Freitas, Harvard Business Review, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of shifting

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deflecting

deflection

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“Deflecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflecting. Accessed 1 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of deflecting

verb

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