as in turns
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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Recent Examples of deflects
Christian therapists now widely condemn this as spiritual gaslighting that deflects accountability and compounds trauma.
—
Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
But Herb deflects any praise that comes his way.
—Greg Riddle, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
Takyiwaa Manuh, an emerita professor at the University of Ghana, argues that targeting the LGBTQ community deflects attention from issues of poor governance.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026
Yas deflects her concerns as naivete.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
The Attorney General of the United States deflects and denies.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2026
In each case, economic performance risks becoming a rhetorical shield — one that deflects scrutiny from actions that undermine democratic norms and constitutional principles.
—Kenneth Zagacki, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
Brobbey flicks the ball into the path of Diarra, who carries it into the vacated space, before his shot deflects off Axel Tuanzebe and gives Sunderland the lead.
—Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2026
This week marks one of those periods of tranquil weather as a high-pressure system deflects precipitation and clouds away from the West Coast.
—Anthony Edwards, San Francisco Chronicle, 13 Jan. 2026
Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
But Herb deflects any praise that comes his way.
—Greg Riddle, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
Takyiwaa Manuh, an emerita professor at the University of Ghana, argues that targeting the LGBTQ community deflects attention from issues of poor governance.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026
Yas deflects her concerns as naivete.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
The Attorney General of the United States deflects and denies.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2026
In each case, economic performance risks becoming a rhetorical shield — one that deflects scrutiny from actions that undermine democratic norms and constitutional principles.
—Kenneth Zagacki, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
Brobbey flicks the ball into the path of Diarra, who carries it into the vacated space, before his shot deflects off Axel Tuanzebe and gives Sunderland the lead.
—Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2026
This week marks one of those periods of tranquil weather as a high-pressure system deflects precipitation and clouds away from the West Coast.
—Anthony Edwards, San Francisco Chronicle, 13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflects
Verb
-
Fresh off the global success of KPop Demon Hunters, the film’s vocal stars are bringing their fandom full circle with a new collaboration that turns a familiar fast-food run into an immersive experience.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
-
October 23 – November 21 Steady focus turns effort into visible progress.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The observation window will be short, however, because once Orion swings all the way around the moon, the brightness of Earth will wash out any potential sightings of the moon dust.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
6 Apr. 2026
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Less through walkouts and more through people feeling like the pendulum swings back, and organizations are trying to hire again.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The system diverts stormwater into a giant tank and then, at Fourteenth Street, pumps it out at up to three hundred and fifty million gallons a day, sending it on to the Newtown Creek wastewater facility.—
Eric Klinenberg,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
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This diverts from the usual legislative process of amendments, markups and the like, which Huizenga told Newsweek was problematic for debt proposals in the past.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
When a dog repeatedly wags and whips its tail against hard surfaces, the tip can split open, bruise or break.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Benbrook whips Diamond Hill-Jarvis Benbrook stayed on pace for a playoff berth in District 8-4A as the Lady Bobcats thumped Fort Worth Diamond Hill-Jarvis 55-7.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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American Patriot air-defense missiles have been moved from Europe toward the Middle East as Washington redirects resources to its war on Iran.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
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That sentence recognizes her concern, redirects the focus to your child and avoids engaging with the accusation about your past relationship.—
Jann Blackstone,
Boston Herald,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This is where Dorit veers wrong a bit.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2026
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The video, seemingly recorded by a witness from their home window, also shows Ritchson attempting to pick up his motorcycle, which then veers onto the grassy patch by the sidewalk while his two sons, also on motorbikes, watch the confrontation play out.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deflects.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflects. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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