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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of deflect
Now: The Two Oldest Speak Out in a New Hulu Docuseries, Devil in the Family
By Kathleen Walsh
Throughout the series, Dave deflected and contradicted himself whenever his actions were questioned.
—
Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 1 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for deflect
Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 1 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for deflect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflect
Verb
-
Ahead of the snow, there is a likelihood a line of storms form along a cold front and some of these storm could turn severe due to damaging wind gusts and large hail, though tornadoes are unlikely.—
Kenton Gewecke,
ABC News,
18 Mar. 2025
-
What began as a neighborhood favorite quickly turned into a national obsession.—
Stephanie Gravalese,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
There were joyful scenes on the ISS as Wilmore swung open the station's hatch and rang the ship's bell when the new arrivals came.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
16 Mar. 2025
-
Wilmore swung open the space station’s hatch and then rang the ship’s bell as the new arrivals floated in one by one and were greeted with hugs and handshakes.—
Marcia Dunn,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
In 1959, Prince Edward County, Virginia, closed its public schools for five years, diverting tax monies to build a K-12 private academy for 1,400 white students and allotting their families tuition grants.—
Essence,
Essence,
22 Mar. 2025
-
Between January 2013 and May 2018, fraudsters manipulated direct deposit information to divert $33.5 million in benefits from 20,878 recipients, according to audits by the SSA's Office of the Inspector General.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Trump has argued the executive branch has leeway to cut or redirect spending to save money or make government more efficient.—
Bart Jansen,
USA TODAY,
15 Mar. 2025
-
Two Moscow airports were closed for safety reasons and several flights to the Russian capital were redirected to other airports, according to state-run news agency TASS.—
Tricia Escobedo,
CNN,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The moment was so precious that Reed whipped out her phone to take a quick video and later shared it on TikTok.—
Adrianna Rodriguez,
USA TODAY,
18 Mar. 2025
-
Blizzards expected in Northern Plains Forecasters warned that heavy snow whipped by powerful winds are likely to make travel treacherous in parts of the Rockies and Northern Plains.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deflect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflect. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share