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
Porsha deflects, saying Drew ruined the mood.
—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
29 June 2026
Vinícius Júnior, who has scored four goals so far in this year’s tournament, had a chance to put Brazil on top in the 58th minute but his shot from the left box was deflected by Suzuki and went off the far post.
—
Kristie Rieken,
Chicago Tribune,
29 June 2026
Vinícius Júnior, who has scored four goals so far in this year's tournament, had a chance to put Brazil on top in the 58th minute but his shot from the left box was deflected by Suzuki and went off the far post.
—
ABC News,
29 June 2026
Seventeen minutes in and Colombia has its best shot as Córdoba springs the counter and runs through from the right and shoots to the far post, but Diogo Costa dives low to deflect it out to the corner.
—
Nbc News,
NBC news,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for deflect
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Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
29 June 2026
Vinícius Júnior, who has scored four goals so far in this year’s tournament, had a chance to put Brazil on top in the 58th minute but his shot from the left box was deflected by Suzuki and went off the far post.
—
Kristie Rieken,
Chicago Tribune,
29 June 2026
Vinícius Júnior, who has scored four goals so far in this year's tournament, had a chance to put Brazil on top in the 58th minute but his shot from the left box was deflected by Suzuki and went off the far post.
—
ABC News,
29 June 2026
Seventeen minutes in and Colombia has its best shot as Córdoba springs the counter and runs through from the right and shoots to the far post, but Diogo Costa dives low to deflect it out to the corner.
—
Nbc News,
NBC news,
28 June 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 5 Jul. 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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