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
Even so, Pritzker has tools at his disposal, beyond a bully pulpit, to deflect and push back against presidential actions.
—
David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025
Witnesses can have incentives to deflect blame onto others as a way of protecting themselves.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 31 Jan. 2025
Instead, to deflect domestic frustrations, Cairo has resorted to vitriolic anti-American and anti-Israeli rhetoric, casting Sisi as a defender of Arab interests and the Palestinian cause.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
And, presumably, in his confirmation hearing on Thursday, Patel, the nominee whose responsibilities are the most closely aligned with Trump’s agenda, will deflect, downplay, and deny.
—Tess Owen, The New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for deflect 
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David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025
Witnesses can have incentives to deflect blame onto others as a way of protecting themselves.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 31 Jan. 2025
Instead, to deflect domestic frustrations, Cairo has resorted to vitriolic anti-American and anti-Israeli rhetoric, casting Sisi as a defender of Arab interests and the Palestinian cause.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
And, presumably, in his confirmation hearing on Thursday, Patel, the nominee whose responsibilities are the most closely aligned with Trump’s agenda, will deflect, downplay, and deny.
—Tess Owen, The New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2025
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 11 Feb. 2025.
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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