as in deviations
a turning away from a course or standard
a stern father who would not tolerate the slightest deflection from the strict moral code that he imposed on his children
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Recent Examples of deflections
In 178 career games across 12 seasons — all with the Cowboys — Woodson accounted for 967 total tackles (franchise high), including 26 for loss, 23 interceptions and 36 pass deflections.
—
Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Feb. 2026
Submerged by a deluge of battles lost, assignments missed and a pair of deflections off Vancouver defenders into their own net.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Mundelein 16-10 (4) Anahya Castro’s rebounds and deflections have been important for the Mustangs’ defense.
—Bobby Narang, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
Mary Briceno scored 13 points with six steals while Tiara Cooks had 10 points with three steals and seven deflections.
—Butch Hart, Austin American Statesman, 26 Jan. 2026
Texas picked it up in the second half and finished with 37 deflections and four kills — a kill represents three consecutive defensive stops — to stymie a Bulldogs team that had won four of its last five games on the road.
—Kirk Bohls, Houston Chronicle, 24 Jan. 2026
Richard played three games in 2025, making six tackles with one sack and two pass deflections.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026
The cornerback finished the 2025 campaign with 73 total tackles, six pass deflections, three tackles for loss and an interception.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 13 Jan. 2026
Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Feb. 2026
Submerged by a deluge of battles lost, assignments missed and a pair of deflections off Vancouver defenders into their own net.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Mundelein 16-10 (4) Anahya Castro’s rebounds and deflections have been important for the Mustangs’ defense.
—Bobby Narang, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
Mary Briceno scored 13 points with six steals while Tiara Cooks had 10 points with three steals and seven deflections.
—Butch Hart, Austin American Statesman, 26 Jan. 2026
Texas picked it up in the second half and finished with 37 deflections and four kills — a kill represents three consecutive defensive stops — to stymie a Bulldogs team that had won four of its last five games on the road.
—Kirk Bohls, Houston Chronicle, 24 Jan. 2026
Richard played three games in 2025, making six tackles with one sack and two pass deflections.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026
The cornerback finished the 2025 campaign with 73 total tackles, six pass deflections, three tackles for loss and an interception.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflections
deviations
Noun
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But the developer would have to go to the Advisory Plan Commission if the final plan has any deviations from the PUD.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
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There may be slight deviations from the podcast audio.—
Amanda Luberto,
AZCentral.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deflections.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflections. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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