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
Asked if Putin deserved the same title, Trump deflected the question.
—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2025
But even a casual listener at this point can recognize his compulsion to deflect in the face of bad news.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 13 Feb. 2025
Stones did his usual long barrier, and Odegaard’s shot deflected off his thigh and into the net.
—Michael Cox, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025
Intelligent, effective opposition turns not on regarding every move Trump makes as evil and autocratic, meaning that he must be stopped by any means necessary, but on sorting out which of his goals are popular and make sense, and which need to be modified, deflected or blocked.
—Clive Crook, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deflect
Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2025
But even a casual listener at this point can recognize his compulsion to deflect in the face of bad news.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 13 Feb. 2025
Stones did his usual long barrier, and Odegaard’s shot deflected off his thigh and into the net.
—Michael Cox, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025
Intelligent, effective opposition turns not on regarding every move Trump makes as evil and autocratic, meaning that he must be stopped by any means necessary, but on sorting out which of his goals are popular and make sense, and which need to be modified, deflected or blocked.
—Clive Crook, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deflect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflect
Verb
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The event’s third iteration is set to run from January to April 2026 at the JAX District, an industrial site turned arts complex in the historic town of Diriyah, near Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
6 Mar. 2025
-
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacramento Bee,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
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As if on cue, the closed front door suddenly swings wide open on its own.—
Melinda Newman,
Billboard,
4 Mar. 2025
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Shares of MicroStrategy swung from a 14% rally when the market opened to trading down more than 1.8% Monday afternoon.—
Tanaya Macheel,
CNBC,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Rather than addressing these critical security threats, the Pakistani military’s resources have been diverted to a campaign of vengeance against political opponents such as PTI.—
Imran Khan,
TIME,
28 Feb. 2025
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The money has to come from somewhere — most of the time, it’s diverted from its emerging markets competitor India.—
Seema Mody,
CNBC,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Focus on the Task at Hand During these 10 minutes, fully redirect your attention to your work.—
Luciana Paulise,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
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In 1975, when the novel was adapted into a movie starring Paul Newman, the action was redirected to Louisiana, and the result fell predictably flat.—
Anthony Lane,
The New Yorker,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Eleven of his assists that season came from the right, and nine were whipped across in that fashion.—
Art de Roché,
The Athletic,
21 Feb. 2025
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Miller was struck in the temple, whipping his hat off his head.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
21 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deflect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflect. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
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