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

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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 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflecting

Verb

Mike Gansey and the Philadelphia 76ers don’t have an inkling which way the LeBron James leaves are turning.

— Tony Jones, New York Times, 14 July 2026
That volatility mirrors the album’s overall mood and thematic POV; TOY COLLAGES feels like one big, bad trip, Dean careening through the existential delusions of those around them before turning toward their own.

— Cassidy Sollazzo, Pitchfork, 13 July 2026

Definition of turning

Verb

Hanoi’s famous egg coffee—made by whipping egg yolks with sugar and condensed milk into a rich, velvety foam—was born during a time when fresh milk was scarce.

— Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 9 July 2026
Onstage, Shakira unleashed her inner rock star during the song, working the stage and the mic stand in a purple corset and matching fringe pants and whipping her lengthy curls like a weapon.

— Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 7 July 2026

Definition of whipping

Verb

Saudi Arabia has been diverting roughly 4 million barrels a day through its East-West pipeline, according to Andy Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates.

— Lee Ying Shan,Sam Meredith, CNBC, 14 July 2026
The conflict is also deepening these vulnerabilities by diverting governments’ attention, capacity, and funding away from the climate resilience and adaptation investments their populations urgently need.

— Sarah Yerkes, Time, 10 July 2026

Definition of diverting

Verb

The cy pres doctrine prevents it from redirecting funds to other institutions, such as nearby public schools, or related purposes, such as college scholarships for low-income students.

— Thomas Adam, The Conversation, 16 July 2026
Abruzzo, the county administrator, insisted none of those projects have been put on hold and the county will not be redirecting airport funds to the renaming effort — despite the airport website’s claim about airport revenues funding the effort.

— Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 9 July 2026

Definition of redirecting

Verb

The audience — all Christians themselves — darted worried looks to one another, shifting uncomfortably in their seats.

— Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026
And with looming questions about tariffs, labor markets, and shifting political conditions, many companies are treating automation as a long-term hedge against uncertainty, not a one-time upgrade.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 17 July 2026

Definition of shifting

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deflection

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“Deflecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflecting. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of deflecting

verb

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