deflection

noun

de·​flec·​tion di-ˈflek-shən 

dē-

1

: the act of changing or causing to change direction

2

: the departure of an indicator or pointer from the zero reading on the scale of an instrument

Synonyms of deflection

• deviation
• departure

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

The Panthers got on the board in the opening minute of the third when Matthew Tkachuk delivered a perfect deflection from the top of the crease. —Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 27 Mar. 2026

There’s a distinctly British emotional register — humor as deflection and understatement as armor — even as his career continues to grow. —Gabrielle Nicole Pharms, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026

The aim of the series of detailed follow-up studies of Dimorphos is to help transform DART's one-off kinetic impactor experiment into a repeatable, scalable asteroid-deflection method. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 25 Mar. 2026

Trump was dazzled by her skill at charming deflection. —Susan Page, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1665, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for deflection

• abjection
• advection
• affection
• bijection
• bisection
• collection
• complexion
• confection
• connection
• connexion
• convection
• correction

Medical 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

deflect

di-ˈflekt 

verb