as in swinging
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 deflecting
Canada is up 5-0 in the 75th minute after Qatar's Mohammad Al Manai went to clear a shot on goal by Jacob Shaffelburg, only to end up deflecting it into the net for yet another goal for Canada.
—
Andrew Greif, NBC news, 19 June 2026
The ball never reached Pepi, deflecting off Australia defender Cameron Burgess and into the Socceroos’ net for an own-goal.
—Arkansas Online, 19 June 2026
Judd is great at deflecting studio notes.
—Simon Bland, IndieWire, 12 June 2026
Santillan went back out for the ninth, deflecting one ball to second baseman Edwin Arroyo for the first out of the inning, then got hit by a comebacker that deflected into the outfield for a single.
—C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 10 June 2026
At the Discovery Building, however, this wasn’t possible, so Broughton instead designed a huge wind deflector that channels gusts over the roof before deflecting them down the facade, pushing snow away from the building’s base.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 25 May 2026
He was usually found near the net, either deflecting shots or scrambling for loose pucks, putting his body on the line.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026
Holy Innocents’ scored the game’s only goal less than five minutes into the second half when a free kick by the Golden Bears’ Paige Jacquin found the net after deflecting off a Wesleyan player in a logjam in front of the net.
—Chip Saye, AJC.com, 13 May 2026
Berenger won’t be able to get out of this jam, though deflecting the unwanted is one of his specialties.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
Andrew Greif, NBC news, 19 June 2026
The ball never reached Pepi, deflecting off Australia defender Cameron Burgess and into the Socceroos’ net for an own-goal.
—Arkansas Online, 19 June 2026
Judd is great at deflecting studio notes.
—Simon Bland, IndieWire, 12 June 2026
Santillan went back out for the ninth, deflecting one ball to second baseman Edwin Arroyo for the first out of the inning, then got hit by a comebacker that deflected into the outfield for a single.
—C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 10 June 2026
At the Discovery Building, however, this wasn’t possible, so Broughton instead designed a huge wind deflector that channels gusts over the roof before deflecting them down the facade, pushing snow away from the building’s base.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 25 May 2026
He was usually found near the net, either deflecting shots or scrambling for loose pucks, putting his body on the line.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026
Holy Innocents’ scored the game’s only goal less than five minutes into the second half when a free kick by the Golden Bears’ Paige Jacquin found the net after deflecting off a Wesleyan player in a logjam in front of the net.
—Chip Saye, AJC.com, 13 May 2026
Berenger won’t be able to get out of this jam, though deflecting the unwanted is one of his specialties.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflecting
Verb
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For the tournament, FIFA has introduced a three-minute hydration break in each half, effectively turning the game into four quarters.—
Tom Burrows,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
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Witnesses saw the plane struggle to gain altitude before turning left, stalling and falling to the ground.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Vargas is accused of repeatedly whipping the cab’s hood with a belt, denting it, cops said.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
16 June 2026
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But listening to Magazine—their new 10-track, 11-minute album—that artful density becomes singular, swaying as much as whipping between its frantic ideas.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
12 June 2026
Verb
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This journey requires them to climb fish ladders over dams, navigate culverts diverting streams under roads, and ascend up to elevations of 7,000 feet.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
12 June 2026
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With nearly 20% of the world’s global oil flows initially disrupted by the war, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are diverting more volumes via pipelines.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
Verb
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With basic mobile coverage reaching 91% of the population, companies are redirecting their money toward advanced 5G networks and high-speed fiber lines.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
19 June 2026
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The third pillar focuses on promoting financial and economic incentives such as redirecting agricultural subsidies toward regenerative practices and phasing out incentives that entrench linear production.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Footwear News,
15 June 2026
Verb
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Pressing for clearer answers For months, frustration among stakeholders has centered on numbers that keep shifting as the district revises its budget projections.—
Chaewon Chung,
Sacbee.com,
19 June 2026
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Congress holds power of the purse The shifting funds are certain to ignite growing concerns in Congress over the separation of powers, and the president’s use of federal funds allocated by lawmakers.—
Lisa Mascaro,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deflecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflecting. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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