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
Rue questions the nature of Jules’s relationship, but Jules deflects.
—
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Apr. 2026
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
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflects
Verb
-
The Whip turns 100 years old at Kennywood The 25th anniversary of the Phantom's Revenge isn't the only milestone for one of the park's ride, however, as the Whip is turning 100 years old this year.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Mulligan delivers lacerating fragility, while Isaac turns Josh’s accommodating nature into a pathology, but both characters are littered with backstory details that Beef leaves hanging.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The man, wearing a yellow shirt and black shorts, walks up to the woman and immediately swings the hammer at her head.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The man, wearing a yellow shirt and black shorts, walks up to the woman and immediately swings the hammer at her head.—
Gisela Salomon,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Critics say the program diverts funds from public schools.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Apr. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Canty is one of the coaches who whips students into shape.—
Terell Bailey,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
The rupture comes when one of the younger siblings quietly redirects funds to support the pro-Palestinian encampment at Columbia University.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
-
In that way, it could be seen as part of a broader rebranding strategy as the agency redirects away from vaccine efforts and toward a less contentious agenda on healthy food ahead of November’s midterm elections.—
Ali Swenson,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Essie’s Mint Candy Apple captures that creamy green-blue finish, while Essie's Turquoise and Caicos veers more sage-esque in color.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Indeed, its approach often veers from intriguing to grating at times.—
Charles Lewis III,
Mercury News,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deflects.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflects. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
