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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deflect
But Sam Bennett deflected a Carter Verhaeghe shot into the net, notching his team-leading eighth goal of the playoffs.
—
Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 23 May 2025
In the 42nd minute, Tottenham’s midfielder Pape Sarr whipped a right-footed cross into the area, with the ball deflecting off Man United’s Luke Shaw and then getting a slight touch from Spurs’ top scorer in all competitions.
—David Close, CNN Money, 22 May 2025
The game’s lone goal came when Yoshida inadvertently deflected a Sporting KC cross into his own net.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2025
On Monday, former Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.), who challenged Biden during the Democratic primary last year, accused Biden and his advisers of announcing the diagnosis to deflect from the scrutiny Biden has received in recent weeks.
—Amie Parnes, The Hill, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for deflect
Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 23 May 2025
In the 42nd minute, Tottenham’s midfielder Pape Sarr whipped a right-footed cross into the area, with the ball deflecting off Man United’s Luke Shaw and then getting a slight touch from Spurs’ top scorer in all competitions.
—David Close, CNN Money, 22 May 2025
The game’s lone goal came when Yoshida inadvertently deflected a Sporting KC cross into his own net.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2025
On Monday, former Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.), who challenged Biden during the Democratic primary last year, accused Biden and his advisers of announcing the diagnosis to deflect from the scrutiny Biden has received in recent weeks.
—Amie Parnes, The Hill, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for deflect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflect
Verb
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Today, in a world still healing from a global pandemic and grappling with economic, political and climate uncertainty, the temptation to turn inward is strong.—
Kendra MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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This focus and appreciation for lifestyle gaming turned the DS from a simple console to a generation-defining device.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
9 June 2025
Verb
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During the argument, Goins swung the golf club at Jones, a witness told police.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 June 2025
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Reserve forward Obi Toppin helped swing the game, draining five 3s off the bench.—
Greg Rosenstein,
NBC news,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Dort watched the ball traverse over his noggin but did not divert his focus from Haliburton.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
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The state is reviving a tax amnesty program and diverting $137 million from the road fund to cover state employee health benefits, a move analysts warn could weaken long-term infrastructure funding.—
Elaine Mallon,
The Washington Examiner,
16 June 2025
Verb
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Etna's lava flows are also normally viscous and slow-moving, often allowing authorities to intervene to redirect flows that threaten communities.—
Bill Chappell,
NPR,
2 June 2025
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These later-life expenses can turn what was once considered a predictable inheritance into a financial safety net redirected to the daily demands of living longer.—
Joseph Coughlin,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
Verb
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The suspect, who sported pink hair and several face piercings, got into the 68-year-old victim’s cab around 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 4, pretending to be a customer, but instead whipped out a knife and demanded the victim’s property, according to cops.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
5 June 2025
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For example, defendants in this state are allowed to hire experts to lie and the defense can then whip the public into a frenzy by promoting the lies.—
Wendy Murphy,
Boston Herald,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deflect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflect. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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