Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense deflects, present participle deflecting, past tense, past participle deflected
1. verb
If you deflect something such as criticism or attention, you act in a way that prevents it from being directed towards you or affecting you.
He'd changed his name to deflect accusations of nepotism. [VERB noun]
It's a maneuver to deflect the attention of the people from what is really happening. [VERB noun + from]
Synonyms: distract, divert, sidetrack, draw away More Synonyms of deflect
2. verb
To deflect someone from a course of action means to make them decide not to continue with it by putting pressure on them or by offering them something desirable.
The war did not deflect him from the path he had long ago taken. [VERB noun + from]
Never let a little problem deflect you. [VERB noun]
3. verb
If you deflect something that is moving, you make it go in a slightly different direction, for example by hitting or blocking it.
He stuck out his boot and deflected the shot over the bar seconds before the finalwhistle. [VERB noun preposition]
My forearm deflected most of the first punch. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: turn aside, turn, avert, bend More Synonyms of deflect
deflect in British English
(dɪˈflɛkt)
verb
to turn or cause to turn aside from a course; swerve
Derived forms
deflector (deˈflector)
noun
Word origin
C17: from Latin dēflectere, from flectere to bend
deflect in American English
(diˈflɛkt; dɪˈflɛkt)
verb transitive, verb intransitive
to turn or make go to one side; bend; swerve
Derived forms
deflective (deˈflective)
adjective
deflector (deˈflector)
noun
Word origin
L deflectere < de-, from + flectere, to bend
Examples of 'deflect' in a sentence
deflect
He used jokes to deflect criticism that he was too old or lazy for the job.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The initial deployment was a move to deflect attention away from Ukraine.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The Serb picked out Shelvey whose deflected shot found the net.
The Sun (2016)
They will do anything to deflect attention.
The Sun (2007)
So nervous indeed that his attention had been deflected from their route.
Iain Gale Man of Honour (2007)
Reaching the final last season deflected attention from another disappointing season.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Certain politicians saw it as an opportunity to deflect attention away from their own shortcomings.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This is not to deflect any criticism of the race.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
You have to deflect the pressure away from the squad.
The Sun (2012)
The focus on simulation by attackers seems to have deflected attention from this more clandestine aspect of the game.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
But the danger is that the attacks on him will deflect attention from his attempt to change the bank.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
King cross deflected into his path.
The Sun (2015)
Leaving aside the touching attempt to deflect criticism, what should savers do?
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
It is a crude attempt to deflect pressure from his own team's failings.
The Sun (2010)
Cynics would say it was a surefire way to deflect attention from the Gunners' failings.
The Sun (2012)
His early free kick was deflected over the bar, but Palace scored from the resulting corner.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It's an effective opening that allows him to deflect the criticism that he's concerned with austerity and easing the tax burden on top earners.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
And Britain's most expensive footballer made his by now customary impact on the match with one hugely deflected shot and another saved easily by the keeper.
The Sun (2011)
In other languages
deflect
British English: deflect VERB
If you deflect something such as criticism or attention, you act in a way that prevents it from being directed towards you or affecting you.
The actor changed his name to deflect accusations of nepotism.