as in swinging
to change the course or direction of (something)
the wind deflected the Frisbee just as I was about to lunge for it
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Recent Examples of deflecting
Patel sparred with multiple lawmakers during Tuesday’s contentious hearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee, often deflecting questions from Democrats with his own accusations of wrongdoing.
—
Brooke Migdon, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Holy Innocents’ scored the game’s only goal less than five minutes into the second half when a free kick by the Golden Bears’ Paige Jacquin found the net after deflecting off a Wesleyan player in a logjam in front of the net.
—Chip Saye, AJC.com, 13 May 2026
Berenger won’t be able to get out of this jam, though deflecting the unwanted is one of his specialties.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
Slafkovský, who hadn’t scored since his hat trick in Game 1 against the Lightning, also shed some weight off his shoulders by deflecting a Hutson shot home just past the midway point of the second.
—Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Stay present and engaged instead of deflecting.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
Rice's two-run shot came a pitch after Trent Grisham reached on a single, the ball deflecting off Leiter's glove with charging shortstop Corey Seager unable to make a barehand pickup.
—CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
During a scrum in front of the Wild’s goal, the Stars’ captain had his stick lifted by defenseman Brock Faber in a savvy move designed to keep Benn from deflecting in the go-ahead goal.
—John Shipley, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2026
Thomas was a second-team All-ACC selection, and he was named the Fiesta Bowl defensive MVP after making five tackles and deflecting two passes.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Brooke Migdon, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Holy Innocents’ scored the game’s only goal less than five minutes into the second half when a free kick by the Golden Bears’ Paige Jacquin found the net after deflecting off a Wesleyan player in a logjam in front of the net.
—Chip Saye, AJC.com, 13 May 2026
Berenger won’t be able to get out of this jam, though deflecting the unwanted is one of his specialties.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
Slafkovský, who hadn’t scored since his hat trick in Game 1 against the Lightning, also shed some weight off his shoulders by deflecting a Hutson shot home just past the midway point of the second.
—Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Stay present and engaged instead of deflecting.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
Rice's two-run shot came a pitch after Trent Grisham reached on a single, the ball deflecting off Leiter's glove with charging shortstop Corey Seager unable to make a barehand pickup.
—CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
During a scrum in front of the Wild’s goal, the Stars’ captain had his stick lifted by defenseman Brock Faber in a savvy move designed to keep Benn from deflecting in the go-ahead goal.
—John Shipley, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2026
Thomas was a second-team All-ACC selection, and he was named the Fiesta Bowl defensive MVP after making five tackles and deflecting two passes.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflecting
Verb
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The roughly 4,800-square-foot home is wrapped in expansive windows overlooking the lake and mountains beyond, turning the landscape into a constantly changing backdrop.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
13 May 2026
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Another way to decorate your privacy fence is by turning it into a full-on plant wall.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Now imagine seeing like half a dozen road-going glizzies whipping around one of the most iconic tracks in all of motorsports.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
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It was delivered by the 7-foot-4 Victor Wembanyama, whose torso uncorked in a fit of frustration that sent his right elbow whipping toward Reid’s windpipe like a torpedo bat flying through the strike zone.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Williamson admitted to diverting $225,000 from a dormant Beccera campaign account to Sean McCluskie, Becerra’s longtime chief of staff.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
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Chipmakers are diverting capacity toward high-bandwidth memory for AI servers, which leaves thinner supply for conventional DRAM used in PCs, phones and other electronics.—
Ron Schmelzer,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Guilfoyle said helpful approaches include increasing enrichment and sniff-based activities on walks, providing more structured chewing opportunities, treating underlying nausea, reflux, pain or anxiety if present, and redirecting with food or toys before the dog starts grazing heavily.—
Diana Bocco,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
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Boyle said the legislation would offset the lost revenue by redirecting about $30 billion in existing federal subsidies currently going to oil and gas companies into the Highway Trust Fund.—
John Parkinson,
ABC News,
11 May 2026
Verb
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The debate comes after weeks of tense exchanges and shifting poll numbers.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
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Growing challenges to diverse slates Amid shifting political winds, the proliferation of diverse slate policies quickly generated backlash.—
Andrea Hsu,
NPR,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deflecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflecting. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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