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

But today, both deflected multiple questions about their previous statements and pivoted back to praise.

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As Ms. Kilpatrick notes, Ravel sometimes deflected praise for “Boléro,” his most famous work—and yet “he was unashamedly delighted when, passing a building site . . . he heard three construction workers whistling his tune.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

On Iowa’s next possession, with 1:52 left in the period, the powerful freshman Stewart grabbed a deflected pass for an interception to give the Trojans the ball on the Iowa 40-yard line.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Unable to deny that reality, Mace artlessly tried to deflect by claiming she herself is a victim, which only makes it worse that she’s supporting a man accused of abusing women.

Read more on Salon

His shot in the first half created England's opening goal and he almost added to the score when his deflected cross nearly went in.

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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!