as in deviations
a turning away from a course or standard
a stern father who would not tolerate the slightest deflection from the strict moral code that he imposed on his children
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Recent Examples of deflections
Mundelein 16-10 (4) Anahya Castro’s rebounds and deflections have been important for the Mustangs’ defense.
—
Bobby Narang, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
Mary Briceno scored 13 points with six steals while Tiara Cooks had 10 points with three steals and seven deflections.
—Butch Hart, Austin American Statesman, 26 Jan. 2026
Richard played three games in 2025, making six tackles with one sack and two pass deflections.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026
In 17 games, his entire array of cornerbacks (11 played snaps last season) combined for just 15 pass deflections and two interceptions.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Jan. 2026
The cornerback finished the 2025 campaign with 73 total tackles, six pass deflections, three tackles for loss and an interception.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 13 Jan. 2026
Cronin was more pleased with his team-high eight deflections.
—Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 11 Jan. 2026
Luvu had a career-high eight sacks and seven pass deflections in 2024, but his production and play dipped this season, in part because he was thrust into a different role.
—Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Jackson leads the league in pass deflections, according to Pro Football Reference, with 19.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 31 Dec. 2025
Bobby Narang, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
Mary Briceno scored 13 points with six steals while Tiara Cooks had 10 points with three steals and seven deflections.
—Butch Hart, Austin American Statesman, 26 Jan. 2026
Richard played three games in 2025, making six tackles with one sack and two pass deflections.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026
In 17 games, his entire array of cornerbacks (11 played snaps last season) combined for just 15 pass deflections and two interceptions.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Jan. 2026
The cornerback finished the 2025 campaign with 73 total tackles, six pass deflections, three tackles for loss and an interception.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 13 Jan. 2026
Cronin was more pleased with his team-high eight deflections.
—Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 11 Jan. 2026
Luvu had a career-high eight sacks and seven pass deflections in 2024, but his production and play dipped this season, in part because he was thrust into a different role.
—Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Jackson leads the league in pass deflections, according to Pro Football Reference, with 19.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 31 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflections
deviations
Noun
-
Any statistical deviations from the predictions of the Standard Model could signify the involvement of unknown elementary particles.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
26 Jan. 2026
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This improves inspection consistency and enables early identification of deviations without interrupting ongoing operations.—
Sabbir Rangwala,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deflections.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflections. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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