deflected; deflecting; deflects
: to turn (something) aside especially from a straight course or fixed direction
armor that deflects bullets
deflecting attention from the troubled economy
deflect a question
: to turn aside : deviate
the shot deflected off the goalie's shoulder pad
Examples of deflect in a Sentence
armor that can deflect bullets
The goalie deflected the ball with his hands.
The ball deflected off the goalie's shoulder.
They are trying to deflect attention from the troubled economy.
The blame was deflected from the chairman.
Recent Examples on the Web
Built in the 17th century, the national monument is made of native coquina stones, which absorbed or deflected enemy projectiles, giving the Spanish an advantage.
—
Kara Franker, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2025
The defender was even better in 2023, earning First-team All-American honors after securing three interceptions and deflecting seven passes.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
But her attempt to deflect the sentimental question with a joke proved futile as a touch of tenderness overtook her.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 1 Apr. 2025
In the early nineteen-eighties, while reporting for Time, Carter had been deflected from Irving (Swifty) Lazar’s famous Oscars party.
—Nathan Heller, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deflect
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Kara Franker, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2025
The defender was even better in 2023, earning First-team All-American honors after securing three interceptions and deflecting seven passes.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
But her attempt to deflect the sentimental question with a joke proved futile as a touch of tenderness overtook her.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 1 Apr. 2025
In the early nineteen-eighties, while reporting for Time, Carter had been deflected from Irving (Swifty) Lazar’s famous Oscars party.
—Nathan Heller, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deflect
Cite this Entry
“Deflect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deflect. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
deflect
verb
de·flect
di-ˈflekt 
: to turn or cause to turn aside (as from a course, direction, or position)
a bullet deflected by striking a wall
deflection
noun
-ˈflek-shən
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