deflected; deflecting; deflects
1
: to cause (something) to change direction especially from a straight course
armor that deflects bullets
deflecting attention from the troubled economy
deflect a question
2
: to keep (something, as a question) from affecting or being directed at a person or thing
was able to deflect criticism
: to hit something and change direction
the shot deflected off the goalie's shoulder pad
Examples of deflect in a Sentence
armor that can deflect bullets The goalie deflected the ball with his hands. The ball deflected off the goalie's shoulder. They are trying to deflect attention from the troubled economy. The blame was deflected from the chairman.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kempe deflected Panarin’s low-flying shot upward and inside the right post for his first playoff goal after leading the Kings during the season. —
Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026 Landeskog put the Avs ahead in the opening minutes with a fluke goal when his wrist shot hit the end boards and caromed back perfectly to deflect in off Forsberg’s skate. —ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026 Thomas was a second-team All-ACC selection, and he was named the Fiesta Bowl defensive MVP after making five tackles and deflecting two passes. —Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026 Earlier this month, Rogan drew criticism after a tense appearance by Von on The Joe Rogan Experience in which Von pushed back on political topics harder than almost any guest had in years — with Rogan, according to observers, deflecting rather than engaging. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deflect
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026 Landeskog put the Avs ahead in the opening minutes with a fluke goal when his wrist shot hit the end boards and caromed back perfectly to deflect in off Forsberg’s skate. —ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026 Thomas was a second-team All-ACC selection, and he was named the Fiesta Bowl defensive MVP after making five tackles and deflecting two passes. —Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026 Earlier this month, Rogan drew criticism after a tense appearance by Von on The Joe Rogan Experience in which Von pushed back on political topics harder than almost any guest had in years — with Rogan, according to observers, deflecting rather than engaging. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deflect
Cite this Entry
“Deflect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/deflect. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
deflect
verb
de·flect di-ˈflekt 
: to turn or cause to turn aside (as from a course, direction, or position)
a bullet deflected by striking a wall
deflection
noun
-ˈflek-shən
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