deflect

[ dih-flekt ]

/ dɪˈflɛkt /

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See synonyms for: deflect / deflected / deflecting on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with or without object)

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

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Origin of deflect

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

OTHER WORDS FROM deflect

de·flect·a·ble, adjectivede·flec·tor, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use deflect in a sentence

Brady’s screen pass was deflected to the Saints’ David Onyemata, who made the grab for the interception.
Tom Brady and the Bucs were no match, again, for Drew Brees and the Saints|Mark Maske|November 9, 2020|Washington Post
It was too high, deflecting off McKissic’s fingertips and into the hands of Giants safety Jabrill Peppers.
Four takeaways from Washington’s 23-20 loss to the Giants|Scott Allen|November 8, 2020|Washington Post
Gressel settled the ball, then stabbed a 16-yard shot that deflected off a defender and floated into the left side of the net for his second goal of the year.
Revitalized D.C. United stays in mix for playoffs with third straight win|Steven Goff|October 29, 2020|Washington Post
Scientists would consult their charts, built on Dimorphos data, and suggest with greater confidence what it would take to deflect the space rock.
The World’s Space Agencies Are on a Quest to Deflect a (Harmless) Asteroid|Jason Dorrier|September 27, 2020|Singularity Hub

One consequence of this protection is that it deflected the Taliban’s aggression to other targets.
When Your Safety Becomes My Danger (Ep. 432)|Stephen J. Dubner|September 24, 2020|Freakonomics
Rupert Murdoch has a long history of successfully deflecting hostile fire about his influence on the news business.
Murdoch on the Rocks: How a Lone Reporter Revealed the Mogul's Tabloid Terror Machine|Clive Irving|August 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Ever had a petty and vindictive boss, competent only at deflecting blame for his own shortcomings?
David's Bookclub: The Caine Mutiny|David Frum|January 28, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Weiner is, not surprisingly, very much against spoilers, and very good at deflecting questions.
‘Mad Men’: Creator Matthew Weiner Shares 10 Facts About Season 6|Jace Lacob|January 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
By pouncing on the moderator, Team Romney is deflecting attention from a tough night for its man.
The GOP's Candy Strategy|Howard Kurtz|October 17, 2012|DAILY BEAST
For now, the Israeli Prime Minister has succeeded in deflecting attention away from the Palestinian issue.
Wiping Palestinians Off the Agenda|Yousef Munayyer|October 4, 2012|DAILY BEAST
On approaching the magnetic poles, compasses become sluggish, for the horizontal deflecting force falls off rapidly.
The Home of the Blizzard|Douglas Mawson
A familiar example of this deflecting force is afforded by the force of gravity, as it acts on a projectile.
Scientific American Supplement, Vol. XXI., No. 531, March 6, 1886|Various
The deflecting power exerted by the elastic bond is also increased by its elongation.
Scientific American Supplement, Vol. XXI., No. 531, March 6, 1886|Various
The point fell, but Keston struck at the savage arm with all his might, deflecting the blade just in time.
Astounding Stories, July, 1931|Various
The pressure on the oblong planes which constituted the deflecting rudder was very great.
The Motor Boys in the Clouds|Clarence Young

British Dictionary definitions for deflect

deflect

/ (dɪˈflɛkt) /

verb

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

Derived forms of deflect

deflector, noun

Word Origin for deflect

C17: from Latin dēflectere, from flectere to bend

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

deflect

Origin of deflect

OTHER WORDS FROM deflect

Words related to deflect

How to use deflect in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for deflect

Derived forms of deflect

Word Origin for deflect