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
On Monday, Roseman deflected when asked about Brown and any potential trade.
—
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
With Duke playing keep-away to prevent the Huskies from fouling, Cayden Boozer's pass near midcourt was deflected by Demary, and after UConn came up with the ball, Mullins swished a 3 from 35 feet away.
—CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
With Duke playing keep-away to prevent the Huskies from fouling, Cayden Boozer’s pass near midcourt was deflected by Demary, and after UConn came up with the ball, Mullins swished a 3 from 35 feet away.
—Noah Trister, Baltimore Sun, 29 Mar. 2026
But in a moment of pure desperation and fear, the Blue Devils didn't hold onto the ball and attempted a risky pass that got deflected.
—Tyler Erzberger, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deflect
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
With Duke playing keep-away to prevent the Huskies from fouling, Cayden Boozer's pass near midcourt was deflected by Demary, and after UConn came up with the ball, Mullins swished a 3 from 35 feet away.
—CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
With Duke playing keep-away to prevent the Huskies from fouling, Cayden Boozer’s pass near midcourt was deflected by Demary, and after UConn came up with the ball, Mullins swished a 3 from 35 feet away.
—Noah Trister, Baltimore Sun, 29 Mar. 2026
But in a moment of pure desperation and fear, the Blue Devils didn't hold onto the ball and attempted a risky pass that got deflected.
—Tyler Erzberger, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deflect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflect
Verb
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The Times of India found workers in Chirag Dilli, the city’s dumpling-making capital, so stretched for fuel that some had given up on steaming and had turned operations over to chow mein.—
Nathan Heller,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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That combination can turn a small spark into a fast-moving fire.—
Joe Ruch,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The three Americans and one Canadian will swing around the moon in their Orion capsule, hang a U-turn and then head straight back home without stopping.—
Marcia Dunn,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
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This fuel burn sets Orion on a path around the moon called a free return trajectory, which essentially means the spacecraft will enter the moon’s gravitational influence (but won’t orbit our natural satellite) and will swing around its far side.—
Claire Cameron,
Scientific American,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Data centers have sparked backlash from communities across the state that are worried about higher utility bills, strained power grids and water being diverted away from families to cool servers at massive data centers.—
Brendan Steinhauser,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
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The flight crew initiated bomb threat protocol after hearing the threat and diverted the plane to Detroit Metro Airport, where it was isolated for a full security check, according to an FBI affidavit filed with the complaint.—
Eric Henderson,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In the weeks since the conflict started, the Port of Karachi has handled around 75 percent of cargo redirected toward Pakistan, with the remaining 25 percent processed at Karachi’s other gateway, Port Muhammad Bin Qasim.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
1 Apr. 2026
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Organizers say this approach is intended to redirect economic activity away from major companies while strengthening local communities.—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Children too short to see the stage stood on their tip-toes to watch Kevin Reyes, the actor who played the part of Jesus, being whipped.—
Laura Turbay,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
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The famously-shy sophomore obliged, several of her teammates whipping out their phones to record the big moment.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deflect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflect. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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