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
Cisse had five pass deflections, one interception and one forced fumble last season.
—
Jonathan M. Alexander, Houston Chronicle, 23 Mar. 2026
For the next several hours—the film, though extraordinarily rigorous, is not bound by the strictures of real time—Kornev’s persistence will be met with deflections, delays, and excuses.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
Last season with the Commanders, Jones had 41 tackles, five pass deflections and one quarterback hit in 12 games, including seven starts.
—Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 13 Mar. 2026
Get burned by the wrong deflections, and the climb becomes too steep.
—Max Bultman, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
The coaches thought there were more deflections to be made.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
In seven seasons in Arizona, Thompson tallied 578 tackles, 37 pass deflections and nine interceptions.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Mar. 2026
Communication is a maze of deflections, accusations disguised as jokes, taunts masquerading as sincerity.
—Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
Maddie Broxterman added 12 points with seven deflections, and Ella Welton collected eight points and seven rebounds.
—Butch Hart, Austin American Statesman, 23 Feb. 2026
Jonathan M. Alexander, Houston Chronicle, 23 Mar. 2026
For the next several hours—the film, though extraordinarily rigorous, is not bound by the strictures of real time—Kornev’s persistence will be met with deflections, delays, and excuses.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
Last season with the Commanders, Jones had 41 tackles, five pass deflections and one quarterback hit in 12 games, including seven starts.
—Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 13 Mar. 2026
Get burned by the wrong deflections, and the climb becomes too steep.
—Max Bultman, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
The coaches thought there were more deflections to be made.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
In seven seasons in Arizona, Thompson tallied 578 tackles, 37 pass deflections and nine interceptions.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Mar. 2026
Communication is a maze of deflections, accusations disguised as jokes, taunts masquerading as sincerity.
—Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
Maddie Broxterman added 12 points with seven deflections, and Ella Welton collected eight points and seven rebounds.
—Butch Hart, Austin American Statesman, 23 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflections
deviations
Noun
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By improving their algorithms and collecting more data, the team hopes to improve their measurements and possibly uncover deviations from existing theories.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Mar. 2026
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To anyone following the MAHA movement and the activities of the surgeon general nominee, Casey Means, these deviations will not be surprising.—
Christopher Duggan,
STAT,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deflections.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflections. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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