deflect

[dih-flekt]

verb (used with or without object)

1. to bend or turn aside; turn from a true course or straight line; swerve.

deflect

/ dɪˈflɛkt /

verb

1. to turn or cause to turn aside from a course; swerve

Other Word Forms

• deflectable adjective
• deflector noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of deflect¹

1545–55; < Latin dēflectere to bend down, turn aside, equivalent to dē- de- + flectere to bend, turn

Word History and Origins

Origin of deflect¹

C17: from Latin dēflectere, from flectere to bend

Example Sentences

Thanks to these findings, astronomers could soon have an extensive catalogue of the internal structures of potentially hazardous asteroids, which could hold the key of how to deflect them.

Read more on Science Daily

She deflected questions about an alleged bribery scheme involving the president’s border advisor and declined to elaborate on her handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The controversy deflected attention from McLaren clinching the constructors' championship for the second year in a row.

Read more on BBC

But the next time one of these entertainers deflects criticism from behind a free speech shield, we should remember what Dillon said about why he and the others accepted this tainted offer.

Read more on Salon

Oliver Sipple, a disabled former Marine standing next to her, saw the weapon and deflected her arm just as the gun went off.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• avert 
• bend 
• divert 
• hook 
• pivot 
• ricochet 
• swerve 
• veer 
• whip 

When To Use

What does deflect mean?

To deflect something is to redirect it—to cause it to move in a direction that’s different from the course it had been on, as in The goalie was able to deflect the ball away from the goal. Deflect can also be used in a passive way meaning for something to have its course changed, as in The ball deflected after hitting the goalie’s outstretched hand. Deflect can also be used in a figurative way meaning to do something to avoid questioning or scrutiny, as in When asked about the scandal, the senator deflected by giving a vague answer and changing the subject. The act or process of deflecting is deflection, which can be used for both the literal and figurative senses of deflect (and more technical uses).Example: The meteor is headed straight for Earth—our only chance is to deflect it using the space laser!