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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of deflects
With most Americans unhappy with the state of the economy, the president gets combative and deflects blame.
—
ABC News, 21 Dec. 2025
The Earth’s magnetic field deflects most of the sun’s particles, but some enter at the poles, where interactions with our atmosphere create the aurora borealis.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 12 Nov. 2025
Gustav frequently deflects Kemp’s requests for notes, pushing her questions back on her.
—Thomas Page, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
Cleveland has its own hustle — no group deflects more passes than Kenny Atkinson’s Cavs.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
This is the first time the country has had a 41-year-old vice president serving alongside a 79-year-old president who routinely deflects attention from his lame-duck status by signaling his interest in serving an unconstitutional third term in office.
—Daniel Bush, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Linebacker Cole Nilles deflects a pass on second down.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 18 Oct. 2025
When asked about his own legacy — a question that comes up more frequently as tributes and retrospectives accumulate — Hawke deflects with characteristic self-awareness.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
And the attorney general, appointed by that president, does not say those photos do not exist and instead deflects the question with insults about the senator.
—Chris Brennan, USA Today, 9 Oct. 2025
ABC News, 21 Dec. 2025
The Earth’s magnetic field deflects most of the sun’s particles, but some enter at the poles, where interactions with our atmosphere create the aurora borealis.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 12 Nov. 2025
Gustav frequently deflects Kemp’s requests for notes, pushing her questions back on her.
—Thomas Page, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
Cleveland has its own hustle — no group deflects more passes than Kenny Atkinson’s Cavs.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
This is the first time the country has had a 41-year-old vice president serving alongside a 79-year-old president who routinely deflects attention from his lame-duck status by signaling his interest in serving an unconstitutional third term in office.
—Daniel Bush, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Linebacker Cole Nilles deflects a pass on second down.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 18 Oct. 2025
When asked about his own legacy — a question that comes up more frequently as tributes and retrospectives accumulate — Hawke deflects with characteristic self-awareness.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
And the attorney general, appointed by that president, does not say those photos do not exist and instead deflects the question with insults about the senator.
—Chris Brennan, USA Today, 9 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflects
Verb
-
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Nov. 2025
-
And in the fall, when the air turns crisp and the fields turn orange, this unassuming little town reminds visitors that sometimes, the most unique places grow from the simplest seeds (pun intended).—
Karthika Gupta,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Young feels within range for Eagles general manager Howie Roseman, who always swings for the fences.—
Matthew Schmidt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Oct. 2025
-
But the tone swings between sour and sweet, grounded and silly, and the jokes run more broadly wacky than precise or original.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
These tissues regenerate constantly, so when protein is scarce, your body diverts amino acids away from these aesthetic functions toward more critical ones, like maintaining organ health and immunity.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Time,
18 Dec. 2025
-
O’Neill directs the steamroller of tragedy right at the characters and then — atypically, delightfully — diverts it.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
14 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Or whips around his defender in a bold pirouette.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Marty whips off his sport coat and throws it in the crowd.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
All are among about 23 transformative projects that have benefited from Kansas’ STAR bond program, which redirects sales tax revenue in specific districts to help cover the costs of development that will draw visitors to the state.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The optical reflector selectively redirects invisible near-infrared light toward the solar cells while allowing most visible light to pass through.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The conversation between Kaleel and the man then veers to tidbits about the rap artist, Eminem.—
Jade Jackson,
IndyStar,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Mainstream media and online discussion around OnlyFans often veers into a moral panic, lamenting that the extremity of some creators’ work, in an age when outrage and engagement lead directly to revenue, may have a corrupting influence on audiences.—
Katie Whyatt,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deflects.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflects. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share