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 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 The ensuing chaos led to Abduvohid Nematov deflecting the ball into his own net. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 14 July 2026 Maryland’s political class seems all too comfortable deflecting blame onto utility providers. — Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 8 July 2026 Malik Tillman stepped up and coolly scored on the free kick, his shot deflecting into the net off a Belgian player who was jumping as part of a wall. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 7 July 2026 De Ketelaere again pressured Freese, deflecting the ball back to Hans Vanaken who had an open net to shoot at. — Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 6 July 2026 The sequence started with Bosnian defender Stjepan Radeljic sliding in front of a Tillman pass, deflecting it forward toward Muharemovic. — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflecting
  1. turning
  2. whipping
  3. diverting
  4. redirecting
  5. shifting
Verb
  • That starts early, with Lily accusing Sam of turning her and Zac into an all-Asian team to compete against the whites.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 28 July 2026
  • While these signings rarely generate major headlines immediately, the Dodgers have developed a reputation for turning under-the-radar acquisitions into legitimate prospects.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of turning
Verb
  • Iguanas usually go viral for other reasons Iguanas are usually quick-moving and run away from their would-be captors with their long tails whipping behind them.
    — Julia Gomez, USA Today, 24 July 2026
  • The attorney questioned whether a person would be able to smell alcohol at the same time that wind generated by 18-wheelers and other vehicles whipping by on the highway was blowing, as was occurring during the officer’s time with Hampton.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2026
Definition of whipping
Verb
  • By still spending so much on conventional manned equipment, the United States and many other countries are diverting funds from more efficient systems.
    — Phillips Payson O’Brien, The Atlantic, 18 July 2026
  • Abu Dhabi and Riyadh have ramped exports through those pipelines, diverting millions of barrels per day around Hormuz.
    — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 16 July 2026
Definition of diverting
Verb
  • Meta cut about 10% of its workforce this year while simultaneously redirecting investment towards its AI infrastructure budget and incentives for its top shareholders.
    — Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • The deals involve redirecting funds toward fossil fuels and other conventional energy projects.
    — Cameron Pugh, Christian Science Monitor, 29 July 2026
Definition of redirecting
Verb
  • Plants and animals keenly sense the diminishing light, which acts as a master biological clock that triggers changes such as migration, shifting hormone levels and winter coat growth.
    — Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The competitive edge is shifting from raw model intelligence to efficient operations, specialized data, and infrastructure control.
    — Gerui Wang, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of shifting

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deflecting
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Cite this Entry

“Deflecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflecting. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on deflecting

Nglish: Translation of deflecting for Spanish Speakers

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