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

Pacioretty got his second deflecting Conor Timmins’ point shot bringing his season total to four. —Omar White, The Athletic, 13 Dec. 2024

Reilly deflected when asked about appearing in the spinoff by USA TODAY in October. —Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024

Bologna took full advantage, Ndoye seeing another effort hit the frame of the goal, then a Juan Miranda free kick was somehow deflected onto the roof of the net by Tim Weah all inside the opening 25 minutes. —Adam Digby, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024

But this messaging deflects from the production methods that have enabled the virus to spread in ways yet to be fully understood. —Crystal Heath and Gene Baur, TIME, 6 Dec. 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