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
Malik Tillman stepped up and coolly scored on the free kick, his shot deflecting into the net off a Belgian player who was jumping as part of a wall.
—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
7 July 2026
Many Mexican players were shorter than their English counterparts and England was content to let Mexico keep sending crosses into the box England could easily deflect during the final 30 minutes of play.
—
Eduard Cauich,
Los Angeles Times,
6 July 2026
De Ketelaere again pressured Freese, deflecting the ball back to Hans Vanaken who had an open net to shoot at.
—
Kevin Dotson,
CNN Money,
6 July 2026
Argentina finally re-took the lead for good in the 111th minute when Cristian Romero hit a glancing header that deflected off the arm of Cape Verde defender Diney Borges for an own goal.
—
Miami Herald,
4 July 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 Greif,
NBC news,
7 July 2026
Many Mexican players were shorter than their English counterparts and England was content to let Mexico keep sending crosses into the box England could easily deflect during the final 30 minutes of play.
—
Eduard Cauich,
Los Angeles Times,
6 July 2026
De Ketelaere again pressured Freese, deflecting the ball back to Hans Vanaken who had an open net to shoot at.
—
Kevin Dotson,
CNN Money,
6 July 2026
Argentina finally re-took the lead for good in the 111th minute when Cristian Romero hit a glancing header that deflected off the arm of Cape Verde defender Diney Borges for an own goal.
—
Miami Herald,
4 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for deflect
Cite this Entry
“Deflect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deflect. Accessed 7 Jul. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
