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
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
At every turn, Kramer’s reply was some form of deflecting that credit while underscoring it’s taken everyone.
—
Kansas City Star,
30 June 2026
The juror asked about it two more times, but Uebelhoer kept deflecting.
—
Joaquin Sapien,
ProPublica,
30 June 2026
These cybercriminals are like the Hollywood movie character Jason Bourne, a highly surreptitious operative who avoids detection through diversion, disguises, deflecting and blending into the environment.
—
Eric Herzog,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
The ball never reached Pepi, deflecting off Australia defender Cameron Burgess and into the Socceroos’ net for an own-goal.
—
Andrew Destin,
Fortune,
20 June 2026
Canada is up 5-0 in the 75th minute after Qatar's Mohammad Al Manai went to clear a shot on goal by Jacob Shaffelburg, only to end up deflecting it into the net for yet another goal for Canada.
—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
The ball never reached Pepi, deflecting off Australia defender Cameron Burgess and into the Socceroos’ net for an own-goal.
—
Arkansas Online,
19 June 2026
Judd is great at deflecting studio notes.
—
Simon Bland,
IndieWire,
12 June 2026
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2026
At every turn, Kramer’s reply was some form of deflecting that credit while underscoring it’s taken everyone.
—
Kansas City Star,
30 June 2026
The juror asked about it two more times, but Uebelhoer kept deflecting.
—
Joaquin Sapien,
ProPublica,
30 June 2026
These cybercriminals are like the Hollywood movie character Jason Bourne, a highly surreptitious operative who avoids detection through diversion, disguises, deflecting and blending into the environment.
—
Eric Herzog,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
The ball never reached Pepi, deflecting off Australia defender Cameron Burgess and into the Socceroos’ net for an own-goal.
—
Andrew Destin,
Fortune,
20 June 2026
Canada is up 5-0 in the 75th minute after Qatar's Mohammad Al Manai went to clear a shot on goal by Jacob Shaffelburg, only to end up deflecting it into the net for yet another goal for Canada.
—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
The ball never reached Pepi, deflecting off Australia defender Cameron Burgess and into the Socceroos’ net for an own-goal.
—
Arkansas Online,
19 June 2026
Judd is great at deflecting studio notes.
—
Simon Bland,
IndieWire,
12 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflecting
Verb
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Given modern advances, many organizations are turning towards auto-triaging by AI services and other digital tools to help ease the burden for physicians.
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Then he got caught up in the race to perform at certain festivals and venues, turning his career into a checklist.
Verb
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And a Cut Absolute is whipping around upon seeing the person and walking away.
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Patrick Evans made it to the top step of the Motocross Best Trick event with his electric bike, whipping out a no-handed front flip to loud cheers from the crowd before climbing back up the ramp to celebrate.
Verb
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Closing the Manhattan Bridge, diverting traffic, and managing the safety of staging a zombie apocalypse downtown required the cooperation and manpower of multiple agencies with their own sets of pressing priorities and responsibilities.
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Fable mitigates this by diverting sensitive requests to less powerful models.
Verb
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Their system screens bookings based on factors like listing type, duration, and guest location, redirecting potential party-goers.
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If the fund ultimately moves forward, California’s law would impose a 100% state tax on payments made to California recipients, effectively redirecting the money to state funds.
Verb
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Multiple soccer writers are reporting on social media that this game could also move time, shifting an hour later, potentially due to weather, but also possibly due to the potential overlap with the England-Mexico game.
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Trump has redirected federal money to help finance billions of dollars of renovations, shifting hundreds of thousands of dollars in funds from National Parks and other programs.
Cite this Entry
“Deflecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflecting. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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