as in to turn
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 deflect
The star defender touched on the schedule during his press conference, deflecting the question about facing his former team in Week 4.
—
James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
Vogt, though, deflects credit to his players.
—John Perrotto, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Bailey wound up deflecting 21 throws and picking off 10 others.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2025
The Quakes’ Chicho Arango almost equalized things but his shot from the top of the box was deflected and then tipped over the crossbar by Austin goalkeeper by Brad Stuver over the crossbar.
—Jon Becker, Mercury News, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deflect
James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
Vogt, though, deflects credit to his players.
—John Perrotto, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Bailey wound up deflecting 21 throws and picking off 10 others.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2025
The Quakes’ Chicho Arango almost equalized things but his shot from the top of the box was deflected and then tipped over the crossbar by Austin goalkeeper by Brad Stuver over the crossbar.
—Jon Becker, Mercury News, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deflect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflect
Verb
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Their next goal is to turn the system into a practical tool for early fire detection.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Sep. 2025
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While wildfire season in Arizona used to arrive in spring and reliably end by the monsoon, fire seasons have turned into fire years as the blazes become more erratic and frequent.—
John Leos,
AZCentral.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Longtime guitarist Dougie Needles swung his axe over his left shoulder, holding it aloft for a late solo during the closing number.—
Jim Ryan,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
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Not shown is non-GAAP earnings that swung into profitability in 2024 with 28 cents per share earned compared to 10 cents per share lost in 2023 and a loss of 41 cents per share in 2022.—
Todd Gordon,
CNBC,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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And major studios are making fewer prestige films of the kind that once used Toronto as a launching pad, preferring to divert more resources to action-heavy blockbusters and family fare.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
3 Sep. 2025
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Talk of bringing in the National Guard is less a solution than a distraction — a show of force that diverts attention away from the deeper investments communities need.—
Debra Gittler,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Deadheading redirects energy from seed production to root and vegetative growth of annuals and perennials.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
5 Sep. 2025
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To counter this dynamic, Newhouse thinks lawmakers, those in charge of news coverage, and even interested onlookers should redirect attention away from individual perpetrators.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Olbinski ran to his car, while others hunkered down and braved the brutal winds and whipping sand.—
Hayleigh Evans,
AZCentral.com,
28 Aug. 2025
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The Milwaukee mother who claimed her stepfather threw her baby from a balcony has now been charged with child abuse herself, accused of whipping her younger brothers.—
Drake Bentley,
jsonline.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deflect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflect. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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