as in deviation
a turning away from a course or standard
a stern father who would not tolerate the slightest deflection from the strict moral code that he imposed on his children
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 deflection
Bishop Feehan’s Aviva Olitzky (nine saves) also stood out for South, though Methuen/Tewksbury forward Ella Duffy squeezed a goal just inside the post before a funky deflection helped Arlington Catholic’s Kailyn French give North a 2-0 lead in the second.
—
Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 23 Mar. 2026
Cisse had five pass deflections, one interception and one forced fumble last season.
—Jonathan M. Alexander, Houston Chronicle, 23 Mar. 2026
Shade made a crucial pass deflection against Orange star Dyashia Fair to play to prevent Syracuse from closing the deficit even further and gave UConn the chance to take a timeout and set up a play.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 22 Mar. 2026
For the next several hours—the film, though extraordinarily rigorous, is not bound by the strictures of real time—Kornev’s persistence will be met with deflections, delays, and excuses.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deflection
Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 23 Mar. 2026
Cisse had five pass deflections, one interception and one forced fumble last season.
—Jonathan M. Alexander, Houston Chronicle, 23 Mar. 2026
Shade made a crucial pass deflection against Orange star Dyashia Fair to play to prevent Syracuse from closing the deficit even further and gave UConn the chance to take a timeout and set up a play.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 22 Mar. 2026
For the next several hours—the film, though extraordinarily rigorous, is not bound by the strictures of real time—Kornev’s persistence will be met with deflections, delays, and excuses.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deflection
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflection
Noun
-
By improving their algorithms and collecting more data, the team hopes to improve their measurements and possibly uncover deviations from existing theories.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Mar. 2026
-
To anyone following the MAHA movement and the activities of the surgeon general nominee, Casey Means, these deviations will not be surprising.—
Christopher Duggan,
STAT,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Seattle Seahawks face a big transition at running back this year with the departure of Kenneth Walker III in free agency, and head coach Mike Macdonald opened up on where the team stands.—
Matthew Davis,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Those rates apply to bags checked more than 24 hours before departure.—
Lucia I Suarez Sang,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deflection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflection. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
