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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deflecting
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
Santillan went back out for the ninth, deflecting one ball to second baseman Edwin Arroyo for the first out of the inning, then got hit by a comebacker that deflected into the outfield for a single.
—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
At the Discovery Building, however, this wasn’t possible, so Broughton instead designed a huge wind deflector that channels gusts over the roof before deflecting them down the facade, pushing snow away from the building’s base.
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Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
25 May 2026
He was usually found near the net, either deflecting shots or scrambling for loose pucks, putting his body on the line.
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Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
Holy Innocents’ scored the game’s only goal less than five minutes into the second half when a free kick by the Golden Bears’ Paige Jacquin found the net after deflecting off a Wesleyan player in a logjam in front of the net.
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Chip Saye,
AJC.com,
13 May 2026
Berenger won’t be able to get out of this jam, though deflecting the unwanted is one of his specialties.
—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
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
Santillan went back out for the ninth, deflecting one ball to second baseman Edwin Arroyo for the first out of the inning, then got hit by a comebacker that deflected into the outfield for a single.
—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
At the Discovery Building, however, this wasn’t possible, so Broughton instead designed a huge wind deflector that channels gusts over the roof before deflecting them down the facade, pushing snow away from the building’s base.
—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
25 May 2026
He was usually found near the net, either deflecting shots or scrambling for loose pucks, putting his body on the line.
—
Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
Holy Innocents’ scored the game’s only goal less than five minutes into the second half when a free kick by the Golden Bears’ Paige Jacquin found the net after deflecting off a Wesleyan player in a logjam in front of the net.
—
Chip Saye,
AJC.com,
13 May 2026
Berenger won’t be able to get out of this jam, though deflecting the unwanted is one of his specialties.
—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflecting
Verb
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People in their 20s and 30s are pulling chess sets, backgammon boards and mahjong tiles out of closets and grandparents’ attics, turning them into the centerpiece of their social lives.
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While Svoboda is at least another year away from turning pro, Halttunen might be ready to make his NHL debut sometime during the 2026-27 season.
Verb
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Ospreay struck Strickland, who responded by whipping a chain at him.
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Vargas is accused of repeatedly whipping the cab’s hood with a belt, denting it, cops said.
Verb
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In a social media post Saturday afternoon, the Kansas City Police Department wrote that bags that don’t meet the event’s clear bag policy were diverting law enforcement resources, as those bags have to be thoroughly inspected.
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The California Highway Patrol temporarily shut down all westbound lanes of the freeway, diverting traffic onto Irwindale Avenue, before opening up one lane.
Verb
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With basic mobile coverage reaching 91% of the population, companies are redirecting their money toward advanced 5G networks and high-speed fiber lines.
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The third pillar focuses on promoting financial and economic incentives such as redirecting agricultural subsidies toward regenerative practices and phasing out incentives that entrench linear production.
Verb
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Pressing for clearer answers For months, frustration among stakeholders has centered on numbers that keep shifting as the district revises its budget projections.
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Congress holds power of the purse The shifting funds are certain to ignite growing concerns in Congress over the separation of powers, and the president’s use of federal funds allocated by lawmakers.
Cite this Entry
“Deflecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflecting. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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