deflection
noun
de·flec·tion
di-ˈflek-shən 
dē-
1
: a turning aside or off course : deviation
2
: the departure of an indicator or pointer from the zero reading on the scale of an instrument
Synonyms
Examples of deflection in a Sentence
measuring the angle of deflection
He scored with a deflection off another player's stick.
Recent Examples on the Web
If a county offers a deflection or diversion program and a prosecutor uses it, the individual could remain on probation for 18 months.
—
Sarah Al-Arshani, USA TODAY, 2 Apr. 2024
And if Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta try to point it out before Manchester City faces Arsenal on Sunday, it will be viewed as gamesmanship, or deflection, or unapologetic sophistry.
—Rory Smith, New York Times, 29 Mar. 2024
Mission Hills watched a deflection creep over the crossbar, and Westview midfielder Sanaa Bebal’s close-range slide shot was smothered by Grizzlies goalie Meleah Schilling.
—Jim Lindgren, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024
The degree of deflection corresponds to the length of the respective month.
—Bhanu Chopra, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
On their third, the Panthers tied the game, getting a deflection by star center Aleksander Barkov on a shot by forward Carter Verhaeghe to knot the score at 2-2 with 3:30 left.
—David Wilson, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2024
Regardless of the approach, refocusing your automation strategy from one based on deflection to one focused on resolution can help lead to efficiency that benefits everyone involved.
—Gadi Shamia, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Argentinean midfielder Alexis Mac Allister was set up by Darwin Núñez and fired towards goal, with his shot taking a heavy deflection off Kobbie Mainoo that Onana was unable to keep out.
—Sam Joseph, CNN, 17 Mar. 2024
The Grizzlies’ best chance came in the 26th minute, but three quick deflections eventually wound up in the clutches of Souvanaphong.
—Jim Lindgren, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024
Sarah Al-Arshani, USA TODAY, 2 Apr. 2024
And if Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta try to point it out before Manchester City faces Arsenal on Sunday, it will be viewed as gamesmanship, or deflection, or unapologetic sophistry.
—Rory Smith, New York Times, 29 Mar. 2024
Mission Hills watched a deflection creep over the crossbar, and Westview midfielder Sanaa Bebal’s close-range slide shot was smothered by Grizzlies goalie Meleah Schilling.
—Jim Lindgren, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024
The degree of deflection corresponds to the length of the respective month.
—Bhanu Chopra, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
On their third, the Panthers tied the game, getting a deflection by star center Aleksander Barkov on a shot by forward Carter Verhaeghe to knot the score at 2-2 with 3:30 left.
—David Wilson, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2024
Regardless of the approach, refocusing your automation strategy from one based on deflection to one focused on resolution can help lead to efficiency that benefits everyone involved.
—Gadi Shamia, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Argentinean midfielder Alexis Mac Allister was set up by Darwin Núñez and fired towards goal, with his shot taking a heavy deflection off Kobbie Mainoo that Onana was unable to keep out.
—Sam Joseph, CNN, 17 Mar. 2024
The Grizzlies’ best chance came in the 26th minute, but three quick deflections eventually wound up in the clutches of Souvanaphong.
—Jim Lindgren, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deflection.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near deflection
Cite this Entry
“Deflection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deflection. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
deflection
noun
de·flec·tion
di-ˈflek-shən
1
: a turning aside or deviation from a straight line
2
: the departure of an indicator or pointer from the zero reading on the scale of an instrument
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