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 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflects
  1. turns
  2. swings
  3. diverts
  4. whips
  5. redirects
  6. veers
Verb
  • Our fantasy football roundtable series turns its attention to running backs.
    — Jess Bryant, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • India has put $160 million behind a Critical Mineral Recycling Incentive Scheme, and Vietnam’s Decree 05/2025 turns recycled electronics into tradable EPR certificates, making compliance a revenue line rather than a cost.
    — Rob Kaplan, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of turns
Verb
  • In the video, testers are seated in a ride vehicle attached to a robotic arm that swings around nearly 360 degrees in the air.
    — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026
  • During one of the more graphic sequences, It4mi swings a blade at the woman, severing her arm and sending blood across the frame.
    — Krystie Lee Yandoli, USA Today, 15 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 roses redirects energy to growth and can boost fall and future blooms.
    — Mallory Carra, The Spruce, 14 Aug. 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
  • That's exactly the mindset incident response leaders need when an incident veers off script from the playbook.
    — David Etue, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • 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
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 20 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on deflects

Nglish: Translation of deflects for Spanish Speakers

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