deflected; deflecting; deflects
1
: to cause (something) to change direction especially from a straight course
armor that deflects bullets
deflecting attention from the troubled economy
deflect a question
2
: to keep (something, as a question) from affecting or being directed at a person or thing
was able to deflect criticism
: to hit something and change direction
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
In the first five minutes, Leeds had several moments of threat down their left side, with Abbott actually doing well — albeit armed with a big chunk of luck — to deflect a Gabriel Gudmundsson cross over his own bar.
—
Paul Taylor, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
The second steal — deflecting a bounce pass with 68 seconds left in the third quarter, diving to the ground to force a jump ball and then creating a viral photo of herself clutching the ball while lying on the court and flashing a 1,000-kilowatt smile — was her school-record 347th swipe.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 6 Feb. 2026
After Vladimir Tarasenko gave the Wild a late lead, banking a long-range shot off a Nashville defender and over the line, the Predators answered 34 seconds later on a similar play, when a cross-ice puck deflected off a skate and into the net.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2026
Matthew Tkachuk put Florida in the lead with a power-play goal from the side of the goal that deflected off Korpisalo and into the net.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deflect
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Paul Taylor, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
The second steal — deflecting a bounce pass with 68 seconds left in the third quarter, diving to the ground to force a jump ball and then creating a viral photo of herself clutching the ball while lying on the court and flashing a 1,000-kilowatt smile — was her school-record 347th swipe.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 6 Feb. 2026
After Vladimir Tarasenko gave the Wild a late lead, banking a long-range shot off a Nashville defender and over the line, the Predators answered 34 seconds later on a similar play, when a cross-ice puck deflected off a skate and into the net.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2026
Matthew Tkachuk put Florida in the lead with a power-play goal from the side of the goal that deflected off Korpisalo and into the net.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deflect
Cite this Entry
“Deflect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deflect. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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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