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 Sentences
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Recent Examples of deflect
These narratives also deflect responsibility from the far right when mass shooters — including those in Buffalo, Charleston, El Paso, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — are found to have made statements echoing anti-Semitic, homophobic, and racist rhetoric commonly associated with right-wingers.
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Abby Monteil, Them, 17 Dec. 2024
The pass, however, was deflected and fell incomplete, and the 49ers settled for a field goal.
—Matt Barrows, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024
But instead of engaging, Contessa deflects, pointing to her own unresolved issues with Simone.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 16 Dec. 2024
Reilly deflected when asked about appearing in the spinoff by USA TODAY in October.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 15 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deflect 
Abby Monteil, Them, 17 Dec. 2024
The pass, however, was deflected and fell incomplete, and the 49ers settled for a field goal.
—Matt Barrows, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024
But instead of engaging, Contessa deflects, pointing to her own unresolved issues with Simone.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 16 Dec. 2024
Reilly deflected when asked about appearing in the spinoff by USA TODAY in October.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 15 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deflect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflect
Verb
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My wife doesn’t want the kiss and turns her head away.Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 18 Dec. 2024
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Kim Kardashian Admits This Crazy-Sounding Rumor About Her Is Actually True By Jane LaCroix Contributing Entertainment Writer 1 Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors Kim Kardashian has found a way to turn an unfortunate injury into a fashionable statement.Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Brown swung on the rim for about a second afterward, then celebrated as Indiana called timeout.Jay King, The Athletic, 28 Dec. 2024
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The Newbury Boston swung open its doors in 2021 and quickly became a Boston favorite, and was even named the best hotel in Boston in the 2023 World's Best Awards.Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 25 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Norwegian Cruise Line said search and rescue operations were initiated immediately, with the ship diverted and a flare tossed into the water to mark the ship's position at the first report of the overboard.David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024
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The Embraer 190 with 67 passengers and crew was flying from the Azerbaijani capital of Baku to Grozny in Chechnya, Russia, when it was diverted.Scott Neuman, NPR, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
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At 11:29 of the first period, Monahan redirected a Werenski wrister up and over Bruins goaltender Joonas Korpisalo to make it 1-0.Aaron Portzline, The Athletic, 28 Dec. 2024
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But the producer Alex Coco redirected him here, and the site was too good not to use.Daniel Arnold, New York Times, 28 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The stars reside within the S-cluster, a group of high-speed stellar bodies that whip around Sgr A* under its immense gravitational pull.Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
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Gently fold 1 cup of the whipped topping into the thickened peanut butter mixture, just until combined; set aside.Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near deflect
Cite this Entry
“Deflect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflect. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.
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