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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deflect
One possibility would be a DART-like mission designed not to deflect but to fragment the object.
—
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2025
An asteroid that scientists initially feared might pose a risk to Earth may could instead strike the moon in 2032, according to the European Space Agency, but some scientists are suggesting it could be deflected with kinetic or nuclear explosions.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Debinha’s kick was deflected by Reign goalkeeper Claudia Dickey, but not enough to keep the ball out of the net for the Brazilian star’s sixth goal of the season.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2025
Pablo López raced off the mound, chasing after a ball that deflected off of his foot.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deflect
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2025
An asteroid that scientists initially feared might pose a risk to Earth may could instead strike the moon in 2032, according to the European Space Agency, but some scientists are suggesting it could be deflected with kinetic or nuclear explosions.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Debinha’s kick was deflected by Reign goalkeeper Claudia Dickey, but not enough to keep the ball out of the net for the Brazilian star’s sixth goal of the season.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2025
Pablo López raced off the mound, chasing after a ball that deflected off of his foot.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deflect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflect
Verb
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Chemical reactions involving the hematite can turn the rock from red to white and produce iron rich minerals, in this case an iron phosphate called vivianite and an iron sulfide called greigite.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
1 Oct. 2025
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Perhaps more worrying for Browns fans has been Flacco's propensity to turn the ball over, throwing six interceptions thus far, the second most of any quarterback in football through the first four weeks.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In the 2022 and 2024 cycles, pro-Israel groups swung into Democratic primaries, spending money against progressive critics of the Jewish state and keeping several out of Congress.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
7 Oct. 2025
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Rather than slash and swing away after spotting the play, Stott tried to get the ball down and deaden it, increasing the level of difficulty.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Trump dropped a pending Securities and Exchange lawsuit against his key financial backer Binance that claimed the company was misleading its customers and diverting their funds.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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The munition can also be diverted mid-flight if battlefield conditions change — a feature that commanders say minimizes collateral damage and protects soldiers.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The White House has argued that the compact will strengthen free speech on campus by protecting conservative viewpoints and redirecting resources toward the sciences.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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Deadheading helps redirect the plant’s energy into producing more flowers instead of creating seeds.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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An overlapping full-back who can whip over a hell of a cross.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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Pretty sure the border is whipped topping as well.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deflect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflect. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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