as in swung
to change the course or direction of (something)
the wind deflected the Frisbee just as I was about to lunge for it
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deflected
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
The puck barely deflected off Rantanen’s stick before going in the net.
—Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 3 Feb. 2026
After the teams traded field goals on their first overtime possessions, Kuechly picked off Luck on a pass deflected by Roman Harper.
—Joseph Person, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
When police arrived, Kevin Castiglia confronted them, armed with two knives — including one that was stained with blood — and deflected their attempts to use a Taser to subdue him, according to the DA.
—Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Moments after his team won the AFC Championship and advanced to Super Bowl LX to play the Seahawks, Vrabel deflected credit from himself.
—Doug Kyed, Hartford Courant, 26 Jan. 2026
In the Hall effect, charge carriers are normally deflected by a magnetic field.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 14 Jan. 2026
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
The puck barely deflected off Rantanen’s stick before going in the net.
—Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 3 Feb. 2026
After the teams traded field goals on their first overtime possessions, Kuechly picked off Luck on a pass deflected by Roman Harper.
—Joseph Person, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
When police arrived, Kevin Castiglia confronted them, armed with two knives — including one that was stained with blood — and deflected their attempts to use a Taser to subdue him, according to the DA.
—Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Moments after his team won the AFC Championship and advanced to Super Bowl LX to play the Seahawks, Vrabel deflected credit from himself.
—Doug Kyed, Hartford Courant, 26 Jan. 2026
In the Hall effect, charge carriers are normally deflected by a magnetic field.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 14 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflected
Verb
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Within seconds, Perez smacked a cellphone out of the man's hand, swung at his head and tackled him to the ground.—
Sheridan Hendrix,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
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Over the past decade, screening guidelines have swung from recommending routine screening to advising against it to landing somewhere in between, and major organizations still don’t all say it the same way.—
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The only way Seattle could’ve lost this game is if Darnold turned into a pumpkin and threw multiple interceptions.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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Around 30 Emirati companies were listed as participants, but none showed up; the exhibition space allocated to EDGE Group — one of Abu Dhabi’s biggest arms makers — was turned into a coffee shop.—
Mohammed Sergie,
semafor.com,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Pierce died Friday after being whipped with a belt and being forced to stand in a cold shower, authorities said.—
Clifford Ward,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
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Thanks to whipped egg whites, these cookies are airy and crisp on the outside and gooey on the inside.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Four small planes were diverted by the Air Force after breaching restricted airspace around the stadium, but the aircraft were never considered threats.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
4 Feb. 2026
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The revelation raised concerns about conflicts of interest in American foreign policy, especially given the scrutiny surrounding the US-UAE chip deal over worries the tech could be diverted to China.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Lukas Dostal was 4 1/2 minutes from Anaheim’s first shutout in 137 games when Jordan Eberle redirected Jared McCann’s slap shot in front for his team-high 20th goal.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
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Lukas Dostal was 4 1/2 minutes from Anaheim's first shutout in 137 games when Jordan Eberle redirected Jared McCann's slap shot in front for his team-high 20th goal.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deflected.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflected. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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