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
  • Face filters can be advanced, but images may break if a scammer turns their head or is asked to stand and spin around, Whyte said.
    — Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Garrett, the former seventh overall draft pick who turns 29 on Wednesday and will be under club control for two more seasons after this, suffered a torn UCL midway through the 2024 season.
    — David Brandt, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of turns
Verb
  • The Connecticut rapper’s debut swings from tongue-in-cheek provocations to slam-poetry clunkers, landing a few solid punchlines and pop hooks along the way.
    — Lily Goldberg, Pitchfork, 3 Aug. 2026
  • If the answer swings on how the question was phrased, the model is not measuring anything about the match.
    — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 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
  • Deadheading peonies redirects energy to root growth, improving plant health and future blooms.
    — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 31 July 2026
  • Time saved is only potential value until leadership redirects it toward a measurable outcome.
    — Brian Solis, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of redirects
Verb
  • Despite the abundance of berries, the fragrance never veers into the medicinal territory that cherry can sometimes take on.
    — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 31 July 2026
  • The timepiece veers confidently into tool-watch territory, separating it from other precious-metal and bracelet Overseas models.
    — Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 26 July 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 8 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on deflects

Nglish: Translation of deflects for Spanish Speakers

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