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

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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 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 Porsha deflects, saying Drew ruined the mood. — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 29 June 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflects
  1. turns
  2. swings
  3. diverts
  4. whips
  5. redirects
  6. veers
Verb
  • The money can’t be accessed until the child turns 18, and only then for specific purposes, such as going to school, opening a business or buying a home.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
  • Whereas a proper pull-up requires an overhand grip, swapping to an underhand hold turns the exercise into what less strenuous alternative?
    — Drew Goins, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026
Definition of turns
Verb
  • Thus, if the balance of justice comes up even ― the parties' positions are exactly 50/50 in merit ― the courts will ever so slightly put their finger on the creditor's side so that the balance swings in the creditor's favor.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • Whether the issue is autism, AI, or something else, MAHA swings at anything and everything.
    — Craig Spencer, The Atlantic, 25 July 2026
Definition of swings
Verb
  • The attempt by former HFPA members to leverage the Golden Globe Foundation, an independent nonprofit, simply to secure Golden Globes tickets is an unfortunate distraction that inappropriately diverts resources from legitimate charitable causes.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 28 July 2026
  • An Israeli military official said such violence by Israelis diverts the defense force’s attention from its primary mission of defense and counterterrorism in a complex environment.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 27 July 2026
Definition of diverts
Verb
  • Instead of floating crosses in, Saka either whips his deliveries low near the six-yard box or works a slightly more central position to cut the ball back with a firmer connection.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 26 June 2026
  • The vessel bends, blocks, and whips the wind into complex micro-currents before the air ever hits the sails.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 2 June 2026
Definition of whips
Verb
  • Time saved is only potential value until leadership redirects it toward a measurable outcome.
    — Brian Solis, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Deadheading keeps flowers from using energy to go to seed, and redirects it toward more growth.
    — Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 8 July 2026
Definition of redirects
Verb
  • Sentiment analysis can show where your language veers away from job criteria alone, and flag contradictions in your reasoning.
    — Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • Instead, Orton leans into the immersive, dreamy sounds of Weather Alive to craft a new album that veers more closely toward late-night jazz clubs than music for the spacey set.
    — David Harris, SPIN, 29 June 2026
Definition of veers

Browse Nearby Words

deflections
deflects
defoliate
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Cite this Entry

“Deflects.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflects. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of deflects for Spanish Speakers

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