deflect

verb

de·​flect di-ˈflekt 

dē-

deflected; deflecting; deflects

transitive verb

: to turn (something) aside especially from a straight course or fixed direction

armor that deflects bullets

deflecting attention from the troubled economy

deflect a question

intransitive verb

: to turn aside : deviate

the shot deflected off the goalie's shoulder pad

deflectable

di-ˈflek-tə-bəl 

dē-

adjective

deflective

di-ˈflek-tiv 

dē-

adjective

deflector

di-ˈflek-tər 

dē-

noun

Synonyms

• divert
• redirect
• swing
• turn
• veer
• wheel
• whip

Examples of deflect in a Sentence

armor that can deflect bullets

The goalie deflected the ball with his hands.

The ball deflected off the goalie's shoulder.

They are trying to deflect attention from the troubled economy.

The blame was deflected from the chairman.

Recent Examples on the Web

Asked if that rapid expansion could face a setback based on growing too quickly, George deflects the question. —Gary Stern, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024

In the Prop 187 campaign, politicians and activists learned that anti-immigrant politics could deflect from the real problems people faced, all in an effort to galvanize voters. —Eladio B. Bobadilla / Made By History, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024

In the opening minutes, Ani gamely deflects creepy customer questions. —Lily Burana, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2024

Most of the time, Earth’s magnetic field can rebuff and deflect the solar wind. —Byhannah Richter, science.org, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin deflectere to bend down, turn aside, from de- + flectere to bend

First Known Use

circa 1555, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

deflect

verb

de·​flect di-ˈflekt 

: to turn or cause to turn aside (as from a course, direction, or position)

a bullet deflected by striking a wall

deflection

-ˈflek-shən

noun