1. Prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening
   - debar, forefend, forfend, obviate, avert, head off, stave off, fend off, avoid, ward off 
2. Turn from a straight course, fixed direction, or line of interest
   - bend, turn away 
3. Turn aside and away from an initial or intended course 
4. Draw someone's attention away from something
   "He deflected his competitors"
   - distract 
5. Impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball)
   - parry, block

Derived forms: deflecting, deflected, deflects

See also: deflective, deflector, deflexion [Brit]

Type of: confuse, disconcert, fence, flurry, forbid, foreclose, forestall, preclude, prevent, put off, turn

Encyclopedia: Deflect

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