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
Most notably, watch here as backup center Oso Ighodaro shuts down Jalen Brunson’s final attempt to tie the score, then Grayson Allen deflects his pass, hustles into the backcourt and banks it off Mikal Bridges’ face and out of bounds.
—
John Hollinger, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
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
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
John Hollinger, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
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
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
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The creamy texture turns into foam as tweens lather the fragrance-free and non-comedogenic formula.—
Katrina Cossey,
Parents,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Made from 100 percent renewable plant fibers and agricultural waste, Savian turns nettle, flax and hemp into fur, shearling and fleece-like fabrics using proprietary technologies.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Forcefully thrust your hips forward to return to standing so that the bell swings up in front of you.—
Greg Presto,
Outside,
7 Jan. 2026
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When the rudder is put over, the stern swings out first, so that if the vessel is in restricted waters, trying to avoid something ahead can result in hitting something behind.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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Or whips around his defender in a bold pirouette.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Jan. 2026
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Marty whips off his sport coat and throws it in the crowd.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Eco effort Sustainability is a major consideration here, with all electricity obtained from renewable sources, a recycling service that redirects 80 per cent of waste from landfill and an air-conditioning system specially chosen for its energy efficiency.—
Cassie Doney,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Jan. 2026
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Building a real community The North Node’s move into Aquarius (July 26) collectively redirects us toward collaboration, community and shared progress.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The conversation between Kaleel and the man then veers to tidbits about the rap artist, Eminem.—
Jade Jackson,
IndyStar,
6 Jan. 2026
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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 20 Jan. 2026.
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