deflective

[dih-flek-tiv]

adjective

1. causing deflection.

Other Word Forms

• nondeflective adjective
• undeflective adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of deflective¹

First recorded in 1805–15; deflect + -ive

Example Sentences

Dr. Orna Guralnik helps these pairs interrogate their feelings, communicate better and see their behaviors more clearly, often despite the patients’ best deflective efforts.

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Smith also recommends a deflective approach for invading jackets, hair or feet.

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And he offered his deflective auto-response to several inquiries whose answers seemed easily retrieved.

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Or maybe I’m just tone policing, being thin-skinned, defensive and deflective.

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“To this day, Principal Clare has never addressed the concerns raised by the Plaintiff’s parents, instead opting to be evasive and deflective,” according to the complaint.

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