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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Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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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

For weeks, we practiced the Czech incantations that would deflect the Devil.
I brought my kids to the Devil for Christmas. And they’re fine. Right?|Petula Dvorak|December 17, 2020|Washington Post
“At bottom, the court finds that defendants’ proffered justifications are nothing more than thinly veiled post-hoc rationales to deflect from the discriminatory impact of the policy,” he wrote in the ruling.
Federal judge rules Ohio birth certificate policy is unconstitutional|Parker Purifoy|December 16, 2020|Washington Blade
Understanding the characteristics and motion of near-Earth asteroids helps determine which ones might pose a danger to Earth — and how they could be safely deflected.
Here are 10 of Arecibo’s coolest achievements|Maria Temming|December 7, 2020|Science News
Dark matter peculiarly does not emit, reflect, or absorb light, though it deflects it.
Five Scientists on the Heroes Who Changed Their Lives - Issue 93: Forerunners|Alan Lightman, Hope Jahren, Robert Sapolsky,|December 2, 2020|Nautilus

Four plays later, Randy Bullock’s 58-yard field goal attempt as time expired in the first half deflected off the right upright.
Four takeaways from Washington’s 20-9 win over the Bengals|Scott Allen|November 22, 2020|Washington Post
Any time a politician feels the need to pat himself on the back that much, you should immediately raise your BS deflector shields.
Pawlenty's Uncourageous Stand Against Ethanol|Michael Tomasky|May 24, 2011|DAILY BEAST
He constructed in 1834 an improved form of deflector dipping needle.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 7|Various
It's hot inside a deflector screen and they'd get their uniforms all sweaty and out of press.
The Best Made Plans|Everett B. Cole
The survival of this method of building a wall, if survival it be, may be seen in the deflector of kiva K.
Antiquities of the Mesa Verde National Park: Cliff Palace|Jesse Walter Fewkes
Circular or rectangular rooms with rounded corners, without pilasters, fireplace, or deflector.
Antiquities of the Mesa Verde National Park: Cliff Palace|Jesse Walter Fewkes
The deep banquette is situated above the flue back of the deflector.
Antiquities of the Mesa Verde National Park: Cliff Palace|Jesse Walter Fewkes

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