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

Researchers are testing new materials and innovative detection and shielding techniques to absorb or deflect cosmic radiation. —Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 1 Mar. 2025

Juan Carlos deflected the invitation more than once. —Stephania Taladrid, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2025

There’s multiple ways to do that: by rebounding, protecting the lane, deflecting passes, getting steals, doing things like that. —Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2025

Tobin slid in and deflected the ball out of bounds. —Chris Hays, Orlando Sentinel, 25 Feb. 2025

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

Rhymes for deflect

• affect
• aspect
• bedecked
• bisect
• collect
• connect
• correct
• detect
• direct
• dissect
• effect
• eject

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