Synonyms of deflects

deflects

verb

present tense third-person singular of deflect

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

• turns
• swings
• diverts
• whips
• redirects
• veers
• shifts
• moves
• wheels
• deviates
• whirls
• averts
• swivels
• switches
• shunts
• swerves
• reverses
• sways
• zigzags
• transfers
• sidetracks
• twists
• bends
• curves
• rechannels
• turns back

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of deflects

This imaging works by measuring how rock deflects the cosmic particles flying at these objects. — Jesse Liu, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2026

Ted deflects the questions, but the friendly encounter only seems to make Alice dig in. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026

Calhoun, a defensive back, deflects a last-second two-point conversion pass with a fingertip and UM beats Nebraska, 31-30, for its first of five national championships. — Miami Herald, 16 Aug. 2026

Because the unexpected droppers have created confusion, however, QB Matthew Stafford throws a pass that deflects off Spillane and is intercepted. — Mike Defabo, New York Times, 15 July 2026

Root deflects credit for its hilarity. — Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2026

My aunt is easily offended and deflects any criticism, while my dad avoids confrontation at any cost. — Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 11 June 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