deflected; deflecting; deflects
: to turn (something) aside especially from a straight course or fixed direction
armor that deflects bullets
deflecting attention from the troubled economy
deflect a question
: to turn aside : deviate
the shot deflected off the goalie's shoulder pad
Examples of deflect in a Sentence
armor that can deflect bullets
The goalie deflected the ball with his hands.
The ball deflected off the goalie's shoulder.
They are trying to deflect attention from the troubled economy.
The blame was deflected from the chairman.
Recent Examples on the Web
Asked if that rapid expansion could face a setback based on growing too quickly, George deflects the question.
—
Gary Stern, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
In the Prop 187 campaign, politicians and activists learned that anti-immigrant politics could deflect from the real problems people faced, all in an effort to galvanize voters.
—Eladio B. Bobadilla / Made By History, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024
In the opening minutes, Ani gamely deflects creepy customer questions.
—Lily Burana, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2024
Most of the time, Earth’s magnetic field can rebuff and deflect the solar wind.
—Byhannah Richter, science.org, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deflect 
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Gary Stern, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
In the Prop 187 campaign, politicians and activists learned that anti-immigrant politics could deflect from the real problems people faced, all in an effort to galvanize voters.
—Eladio B. Bobadilla / Made By History, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024
In the opening minutes, Ani gamely deflects creepy customer questions.
—Lily Burana, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2024
Most of the time, Earth’s magnetic field can rebuff and deflect the solar wind.
—Byhannah Richter, science.org, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deflect
Dictionary Entries Near deflect
Cite this Entry
“Deflect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deflect. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
deflect
verb
de·flect
di-ˈflekt 
: to turn or cause to turn aside (as from a course, direction, or position)
a bullet deflected by striking a wall
deflection
noun
-ˈflek-shən
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