deflect
verb (used with or without object)
to bend or turn aside; turn from a true course or straight line; swerve.
have deflected
-
present perfectof deflect.present perfect
Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But Vance and Rubio have deflected speculation about their political futures.
From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026
Whenever they are criticized, Internet platforms have deflected blame onto their users.
From Scientific American ● Nov. 10, 2023
While the agency's leaders have deflected blame and scrutiny, Director Steve McCraw has said he'll resign if troopers of the state's top law enforcement agency had "any culpability" in the delayed response.
From Salon ● Sep. 30, 2022
Like Yiannopoulos, Crowder and Watters have deflected criticism by saying they’re just doing comedy — often expressing astonishment that anyone would take them seriously at all.
From New York Times ● Oct. 7, 2020
I may mention that the body of Robert Redmayne was found where he buried it; but the tides have deflected the beach gravels of Bendigo's grave and search there has revealed nothing.
From The Red Redmaynes by Eden Phillpotts
