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
Following Texas floods, President Trump deflects questions about the administration's disaster response and criticizes a reporter's question about families' concerns.
—
Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 11 July 2025
Several officials in the past few days have deflected or become defensive when asked clarifying questions about the county’s actions before and during the disaster.
—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 10 July 2025
Within minutes of the foul ball being deflected, the cameras at Fox (the network airing the game) were trained on Bartman, alternating between live shots of him in the stands and replays of the ball.
—Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 9 July 2025
High-trust organizations don’t deflect blame or delay communication.
—Brandon Spear, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for deflect
Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 11 July 2025
Several officials in the past few days have deflected or become defensive when asked clarifying questions about the county’s actions before and during the disaster.
—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 10 July 2025
Within minutes of the foul ball being deflected, the cameras at Fox (the network airing the game) were trained on Bartman, alternating between live shots of him in the stands and replays of the ball.
—Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 9 July 2025
High-trust organizations don’t deflect blame or delay communication.
—Brandon Spear, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for deflect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflect
Verb
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That turned into a backlash from within Trump's MAGA base when the DOJ and the FBI then stated in a memo there would be no new investigations of uncharged third parties.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
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Then, as the century turned, the boys were pushed aside by rough young men.—
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
15 July 2025
Verb
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Never did Nick Kurtz consider this, not as a young boy learning to swing left-handed in Lancaster, Pa., or during the charmed collegiate career that catapulted him into baseball’s consciousness.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
26 July 2025
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Bleacher Report's Zachary Rymer recently suggested the Houston Astros could swing a blockbuster trade deadline deal for Miami Marlins hurler Edward Cabrera in the coming days.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 July 2025
Verb
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Critics of President Donald Trump have claimed that the release is an effort to divert attention from the Jeffrey Epstein controversy.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
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With 90% from demolition and 10% from construction, these materials could be diverted from the landfill and sold.—
Linda Thompson Gonzalez,
Sun Sentinel,
20 July 2025
Verb
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On Thursday, Trump signed an executive order aimed at removing homeless individuals from city streets and redirecting them to rehabilitation, treatment and other facilities.—
Laura Daniella Sepulveda,
AZCentral.com,
26 July 2025
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Otherwise, the state would yank funding and redirect the city’s 911 response to a third-party center.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
25 July 2025
Verb
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The designer was lucky enough to snag some handwoven jacquard with gold thread from a Venetian palazzo, whipping it into a one-of-a-kind lampshade skirt.—
Ari Stark,
Footwear News,
15 July 2025
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Shake briefly to whip, then empty contents into a curved Hurricane glass and garnish with an orange slice and a cherry.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deflect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflect. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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