as in turns
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 deflects
Maxey tries to create an advantage but cannot, and Bridges, with those never-ending arms, deflects the bounce and gets the steal.
—
Fred Katz, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Rue questions the nature of Jules’s relationship, but Jules deflects.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Apr. 2026
Christian therapists now widely condemn this as spiritual gaslighting that deflects accountability and compounds trauma.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
But Herb deflects any praise that comes his way.
—Greg Riddle, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
Takyiwaa Manuh, an emerita professor at the University of Ghana, argues that targeting the LGBTQ community deflects attention from issues of poor governance.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026
Yas deflects her concerns as naivete.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
The Attorney General of the United States deflects and denies.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2026
In each case, economic performance risks becoming a rhetorical shield — one that deflects scrutiny from actions that undermine democratic norms and constitutional principles.
—Kenneth Zagacki, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
Fred Katz, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Rue questions the nature of Jules’s relationship, but Jules deflects.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Apr. 2026
Christian therapists now widely condemn this as spiritual gaslighting that deflects accountability and compounds trauma.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
But Herb deflects any praise that comes his way.
—Greg Riddle, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
Takyiwaa Manuh, an emerita professor at the University of Ghana, argues that targeting the LGBTQ community deflects attention from issues of poor governance.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026
Yas deflects her concerns as naivete.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
The Attorney General of the United States deflects and denies.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2026
In each case, economic performance risks becoming a rhetorical shield — one that deflects scrutiny from actions that undermine democratic norms and constitutional principles.
—Kenneth Zagacki, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflects
Verb
-
Another turns downtown into Taste of Black Harrisburg, with food vendors, live mural painting, music, comedy, and chef demonstrations taking over the block.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
14 May 2026
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The device turns virtually any liquid into a frosty drink within 20 to 30 minutes — with a couple of exceptions.—
Clint Davis,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
Verb
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When Bz points north, Earth’s field resists it; when Bz swings south, the two fields connect, allowing plasma to stream in.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
-
Pitchers also know Kwan almost never swings at the first pitch.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Using proprietary technology, such as its allocation engine, Debrand facilitates the management of unsellable inventory and returns—something the Canadian hub said diverts textile waste from landfills and promotes circularity in the fashion industry, as evidenced by the brand case studies.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Both charming decoration and functional solution, the rain chain diverts rainwater from the roof and gutters, transforming it into a beautiful water feature.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In the fourth minute, Meschack Elia whips a ball across the box to Bakambu, eight yards from goal.—
Franklin Leonard,
Vanity Fair,
14 May 2026
-
Stephen Fry whips out his phone to snag a picture with Johnny Knoxville inside the Fox Upfront 2026 afterparty in New York City on May 11.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
Verb
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If a legal order redirects part of those earnings elsewhere, your paycheck can shrink, quietly but significantly, and in some cases, without much warning.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
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Where artists like Alice Coltrane and Dorothy Ashby pushed the instrument inventively into mostly instrumental jazz, Davis redirects it toward a more singer-songwriterly inwardness.—
Emma Madden,
Pitchfork,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
With the all-new Apex 23X, Oliver veers off the highway to offer a more rugged, all terrain-ready alternative to the Legacy Elite series.—
C.C. Weiss
May 10,
New Atlas,
10 May 2026
-
Essie’s Mint Candy Apple captures that creamy green-blue finish, while Essie's Turquoise and Caicos veers more sage-esque in color.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deflects.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflects. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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