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
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Examples of deflect in a Sentence
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Recent Examples on the Web
As the room suddenly darkens, our guide Mona attempts to deflect potential panic, sharing an extra light torch and boasting about her professional preparedness.
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Natasha Gural, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
View gallery - 4 images ESA's Hera spacecraft designed to assess NASA's experiment to deflect an asteroid has launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.
—David Szondy, New Atlas, 7 Oct. 2024
Initially, some members mentioned family members by name, but these details were later scrubbed, to deflect stalking.
—Alex Barasch, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024
England recently expanded this unresolved science by studying how the minuscule hairs of caterpillars deflect under static, to glean how electric information may help a caterpillar survive.
—Max G. Levy, WIRED, 27 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deflect 
Natasha Gural, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
View gallery - 4 images ESA's Hera spacecraft designed to assess NASA's experiment to deflect an asteroid has launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.
—David Szondy, New Atlas, 7 Oct. 2024
Initially, some members mentioned family members by name, but these details were later scrubbed, to deflect stalking.
—Alex Barasch, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024
England recently expanded this unresolved science by studying how the minuscule hairs of caterpillars deflect under static, to glean how electric information may help a caterpillar survive.
—Max G. Levy, WIRED, 27 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deflect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflect
Verb
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And now the Republicans will go nuts until election day trying to turn the gaffe into votes.Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024
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Still, there’s significant room for improvement across the board as the team turns its attention to this weekend’s game in Arizona.Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 31 Oct. 2024
Verb
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She’s had dozens of volunteers come through, many from out of state, all in an effort to swing Pennsylvania’s swingiest county towards Harris.Charlotte Alter/Philadelphia, TIME, 29 Oct. 2024
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No single message can swing an election in favor of one presidential candidate or another.David Shedd, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2024
Verb
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Still, appearing so close to Election Day is unusual and sure to draw plenty of attention and scrutiny — along with her decision to divert to New York for such a brief appearance during the home stretch.Dave Lawler, Axios, 3 Nov. 2024
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More:Big Mac bridge fire: What to know about Daniel Carter Beard Bridge Downtown Cincinnati roads remain closed ODOT is diverting southbound I-471 traffic from Ohio by way of I-71 and I-75 South.Bebe Hodges, The Enquirer, 3 Nov. 2024
Verb
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In some cases, the leaders of trade groups or industry advocates wrote chapters proposing how to redirect agencies regulating their member companies.Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 23 Oct. 2024
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That experience inspired him to redirect Godzilla from nuclear issues to pollution.Amanda Kennell, Discover Magazine, 19 Oct. 2024
Verb
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You might be tempted to whip out your strongest acne-fighting products to destroy your stubborn zit.Jenna Ryu, SELF, 1 Nov. 2024
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As Neely screamed about being hungry and thirsty, Kenniff said, the environment changed when Neely took off his jacket, whipped it around his head and dropped it on the ground with such force the train fell silent.Eric Levenson, CNN, 1 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near deflect
Cite this Entry
“Deflect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflect. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024.
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