as in swinging
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 deflecting
Fans interpreted his remarks as throwing his teammate under the bus while deflecting blame away from himself.
—
Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Many hostage families have blamed the Israeli leader for prolonging the war, deflecting responsibility for the October 7 attacks, and sabotaging negotiations around the release of the hostages and an end to the war.
—Kara Fox, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
One of them skimmed past Joonas Korpisalo after deflecting off Tanner Jeannot.
—Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Nonprofit watchdog group Human Rights Watch and fellow comedians like David Cross and Marc Maron, however, are saying otherwise, accusing the festival of deflecting from the country's human rights violations and slamming their peers for their involvement.
—Jessica Wang, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2025
The former prosecutor attempted to rebuff her supervisor’s advances by talking about already being in a committed relationship and deflecting his comments, the suit says.
—Sean Emery, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Even Emma doesn’t seem that fazed when Cate confronts her, brushing her off and deflecting the blame to Jordan and Marie without any problem.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025
Tart remained in the game and came up with two big plays, deflecting a pair of passes by Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes — including one on a two-point conversion attempt that would have tied the game 20-20.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2025
Bailey wound up deflecting 21 throws and picking off 10 others.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2025
Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Many hostage families have blamed the Israeli leader for prolonging the war, deflecting responsibility for the October 7 attacks, and sabotaging negotiations around the release of the hostages and an end to the war.
—Kara Fox, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
One of them skimmed past Joonas Korpisalo after deflecting off Tanner Jeannot.
—Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Nonprofit watchdog group Human Rights Watch and fellow comedians like David Cross and Marc Maron, however, are saying otherwise, accusing the festival of deflecting from the country's human rights violations and slamming their peers for their involvement.
—Jessica Wang, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2025
The former prosecutor attempted to rebuff her supervisor’s advances by talking about already being in a committed relationship and deflecting his comments, the suit says.
—Sean Emery, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Even Emma doesn’t seem that fazed when Cate confronts her, brushing her off and deflecting the blame to Jordan and Marie without any problem.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025
Tart remained in the game and came up with two big plays, deflecting a pair of passes by Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes — including one on a two-point conversion attempt that would have tied the game 20-20.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2025
Bailey wound up deflecting 21 throws and picking off 10 others.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflecting
Verb
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With goal difference not a factor in this three-match format, there was no incentive for Miami to push forward in the final period, and Nashville never looked like turning the contest around.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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But Drew Mestekmaker and North Texas’ high-flying offense wouldn’t be denied, turning a three-point deficit midway through the third quarter into a 34-point road victory, keeping their College Football Playoff hopes alive.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In one short, a young Stuckmann, dressed as Harrison Ford's lasso-whipping adventurer, jumps onto the back of a moving car.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Mash as desired, either with a potato masher or by whipping with an electric mixer.—
Elizabeth Nelson,
Southern Living,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The plan included launching a mobile booking station to quickly issue citations, stricter curfew and firearm enforcement, and increasing police presence by diverting patrol officers to high-traffic entertainment areas.—
Angelika Ytuarte,
jsonline.com,
22 Oct. 2025
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In total, Alex was found to have embezzled more than $6 million from at least two dozen clients, inflating fees or expenses and diverting settlement money into his own accounts, per PBS.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Deliberation briefly turned contentious when Councilmember Michael Inzunza, who represents the district where the park will be built, proposed redirecting the effort toward a larger, regional park before ultimately joining the majority.—
Walker Armstrong,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Oct. 2025
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When conversation veers into controversial territory, Gott suggests redirecting rather than reprimanding.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Southern Living,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The constantly shifting allegiances are meant to form a twisty yarn in the aggregate, though the effect is largely just confusing — especially when Helen gets a subplot investigating her own past that distracts from her role as the chilly, withholding boss.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
26 Oct. 2025
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Offenses started shifting toward using more 11 personnel (three receivers, one tight end, one running back) a little over a decade ago.—
Jourdan Rodrigue,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deflecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflecting. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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