as in to turn
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
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Recent Examples of deflect
Biden was surrounded by family members and longtime loyalists who were effective at deflecting and dismissing the inquiries as partisan attacks.
—
Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
Understanding whether your partner takes accountability or deflects blame, listens without becoming defensive and genuinely works toward repair after fights is crucial.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Because neutrinos are not deflected by magnetic fields or by gravity, their direction of travel leads back to their source.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 16 May 2025
Dmitry Kulikov, who scored four times during the season, had the second goal, deflecting a shot off Scott Laughton.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for deflect
Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
Understanding whether your partner takes accountability or deflects blame, listens without becoming defensive and genuinely works toward repair after fights is crucial.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Because neutrinos are not deflected by magnetic fields or by gravity, their direction of travel leads back to their source.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 16 May 2025
Dmitry Kulikov, who scored four times during the season, had the second goal, deflecting a shot off Scott Laughton.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for deflect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflect
Verb
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At Christian Dior, Maria Grazia Chiuri worked to turn a legacy house into a home.—
Laird Borrelli-Persson,
Vogue,
29 May 2025
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The model, who turns 18 on May 29, 2025, made her runway debut in 2023 Comments Zaya Wade is one stylish teenager!—
Alexandra Schonfeld,
People.com,
29 May 2025
Verb
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The president's team has now swung the pendulum in the opposite direction from five years ago, even attempting to rescind findings of constitutional violations in the cities where Floyd and Taylor lost their lives.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
27 May 2025
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The momentum swung again on the next hole when Griffin saved par from behind a tree in the fairway and Schmid curiously aimed away from the hole with his ball plugged in a bunker, ended up in the rough and made bogey.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
25 May 2025
Verb
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The westbound lanes on I-88 near Route 53 in DuPage County have now reopened after a fatal crash near Lisle had shut down the lanes and diverted traffic to other routes, Illinois State Police said.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
20 May 2025
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Kelly is diverting her eyes to the politics always in every film.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
20 May 2025
Verb
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President Donald Trump has threatened to take away $3 billion in federal grants from Harvard University and redirect the money to trade schools, escalating a months-long battle with the Ivy League institution.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 May 2025
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Voluntary exits create space to reshape teams and redirect talent without triggering the disruption, legal risk and political blowback that often come with forced terminations.—
Rita Numerof,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
Verb
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Caballero looked on the verge of tears as the Ivorian whipped the ball into the corner, a heroic performance from a back-up goalkeeper who’d played in every previous round to repay manager Manuel Pellegrini’s faith.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
17 May 2025
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Made with 92 percent natural ingredients, the gentle, sulfate-free shampoo is whipped with tea tree and peppermint oils, which help create a healthy pH balance on the scalp and smell like a spa.—
Jenny Berg,
Allure,
17 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deflect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflect. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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