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
Wenders was hardly alone in trying to deflect political crossfire.
—
Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
The ladies then try to blame Amanda for deflecting her opinion about Dorit onto Kyle and getting Kyle and Dorit arguing.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026
The goalie was caught too high up in the crease and as Peslarova reached back, Olsson’s shot deflected in off her blocker.
—ABC News, 13 Feb. 2026
That appeared to frustrate committee members, who accused the sheriff of deflecting blame.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deflect
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Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
The ladies then try to blame Amanda for deflecting her opinion about Dorit onto Kyle and getting Kyle and Dorit arguing.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026
The goalie was caught too high up in the crease and as Peslarova reached back, Olsson’s shot deflected in off her blocker.
—ABC News, 13 Feb. 2026
That appeared to frustrate committee members, who accused the sheriff of deflecting blame.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 11 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 15 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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