Deflect

Quick meaning: Deflect is a verb meaning (transitive) To make (something) deviate from its original path or position.

Meaning

(transitive) To make (something) deviate from its original path or position.

More Meanings

1. (intransitive) To deviate from an original path or position.
2. (transitive, figuratively) To avoid addressing (questions, criticism, etc.).
3. (transitive, figuratively) To divert (attention, etc.).
4. (psychology) To redirect culpability to avoid it.
5. (transitive, ball games) To touch the ball, often unwittingly, after a shot or a sharp pass, thereby making it unpredictable for the other players.

Example Sentences

The defender deflected the cross into his own net.

The Prime Minister deflected some increasingly pointed questions by claiming he had an appointment.

Critics suggest that Fernández, an unashamed populist and nationalist, is seeking to deflect attention from social disharmony at home.

Certainly there was much in the relationship itself that, with so much energy deflected into logistic maneuvering was never […] "worked out."

Word Forms

• deflects
• deflecting
• deflected

Synonyms for deflect

Depending on context, synonyms include elude, obviate, avert, avoid, deviate, block.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include distract, avert, obviate, debar, avoid, deviate.

Related Dictionary Tools