Definition of deflectnext
as in to turn
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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of deflect Jack is softly spoken and keen to deflect talk from his own heroics in the semi-final. — Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026 Two experiments but same result The researchers operated the QPC in a weak-backscattering regime, allowing most quasiparticles to pass while randomly deflecting a small fraction. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026 Delane also had a tackle for a 5-yard loss and deflected a pass. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2026 Sterling says Trump seems to be laying groundwork to deflect blame if Republicans lose. — Sam Gringlas, NPR, 21 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deflect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflect
Verb
  • The service The service here is a nod to the turn-of-the-last-century where waiters and barmen wear starched white dinner jackets and a pianist serenades your cocktails in a grand salon.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Hidden Planet is the latest in the canon, this time turning the micro-cameras on the world of insects.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • In the top of the second, Shohei Ohtani walked to lead off the inning, then stole second as Teoscar Hernandez swung through strike three.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The Ravens swung a surprise trade Wednesday for Eagles center Cam Jurgens, padding their interior offensive line after injuries to Jovaughn Gwyn and Ethan Pocic.
    — Matt Weyrich, Baltimore Sun, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Flights were canceled or diverted, and airport operations were suspended.
    — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Flight-tracking site flightradar24 showed all flights to Riyadh had either been diverted or canceled, with only a helicopter hovering over the airport at one point.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The Bátan River used to flow through Santa María Acuexcomac but had dried up because of decades of water being extracted and redirected to the expanding state capital, Puebla de Zaragoza.
    — Valeria Luongo, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2026
  • When the relationship ended two years later, Sarah redirected her energy to self-care, which had a remarkable effect.
    — Georgia Casey, Allure, 9 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • My opponent should be condemning political violence, not whipping it up.
    — Dan Raby, CBS News, 5 Oct. 2026
  • In whipping rain and wind in New Jersey, the New York Giants held on for a 12-7 win in their first game since quarterback Jaxson Dart suffered a season-ending knee injury.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 28 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Deflect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflect. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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