as in to turn
to change the course or direction of (something)
the wind deflected the Frisbee just as I was about to lunge for it
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Recent Examples of deflect
The left of the below photo shows the top panel, which, like the front panel, contains a row of channels to deflect noise behind and below the user.
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PCMAG, 27 Nov. 2024
Republicans over the past week have largely deflected or downplayed questions about the Fox News host’s ability to serve as civilian head of an agency that oversees nearly 3 million service members and more than 700,000 civilian workers.
—Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 21 Nov. 2024
Lean Into Transparency Healthcare leaders often attempt to minimize, deflect or distract from challenges created by their delivery of the patient experience.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024
But the best plays the rest of the were a 20-yard pass to Jalil Frazier that deflected off two Eagles and a 21-yard pass from quarterback Terrell Hearn to Corey Costner.
—Craig J. Clary, Baltimore Sun, 30 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deflect 
PCMAG, 27 Nov. 2024
Republicans over the past week have largely deflected or downplayed questions about the Fox News host’s ability to serve as civilian head of an agency that oversees nearly 3 million service members and more than 700,000 civilian workers.
—Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 21 Nov. 2024
Lean Into Transparency Healthcare leaders often attempt to minimize, deflect or distract from challenges created by their delivery of the patient experience.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024
But the best plays the rest of the were a 20-yard pass to Jalil Frazier that deflected off two Eagles and a 21-yard pass from quarterback Terrell Hearn to Corey Costner.
—Craig J. Clary, Baltimore Sun, 30 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deflect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflect
Verb
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Kim Kardashian Admits This Crazy-Sounding Rumor About Her Is Actually True By Jane LaCroix Contributing Entertainment Writer 1 Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors Kim Kardashian has found a way to turn an unfortunate injury into a fashionable statement.Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
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My wife doesn’t want the kiss and turns her head away.Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The Broncos at that point had swung and missed at every bullet point of the game plan.Nick Kosmider, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
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Miragaia likely swung its tail to drive off predators, and perhaps cause rivals to back down, rather than trying to strike potential threats.Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
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According to Doggett, air traffic controllers have reported more than 50 incidents involving private planes that were diverted and could have ended up on a collision course with a commercial airplane.Bianca Moreno-Paz, Austin American-Statesman, 11 Dec. 2024
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Related article United Airlines plane diverted to L.A. in air carrier’s 4th emergency in a week The National Guard was notified, according to the Federal Civil Aviation Agency, known as AFAC, though its specific role remains unclear.Paradise Afshar, CNN, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Transportation officials have been studying road usage fees (pay per mile) and other ideas, but King suggests redirecting a percentage of vehicle sales taxes into the transportation preservation and maintenance account.Carleen Johnson | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 15 Dec. 2024
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The common factor in most attacks is redirecting the target using phishing tactics to land them on a legitimate-looking site where they will be asked to login.Davey Winder, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Unusually fierce December winds whipping across the Île de la Cité, flanked by the River Seine, forced all the events inside.Thomas Adamson and John Leicester, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024
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As the wind can really whip between buildings in the winter, a thick wool coat like this Cole Haan trench coat now 38 percent off, will keep you warm while walking.Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 5 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Deflect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflect. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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