def
lect
Third Person
deflects
Present Participle
deflecting
Past Tense
deflected
Past Participle
deflected
1
to change direction or turn aside, typically as a result of encountering an obstacle or external force
- When light travels from air into water, it tends to deflect.
- The bullet hit a hard surface and began to deflect.
- The cue ball struck the cushion at an angle, causing it to deflect and change direction.
- The basketball player attempted a shot, but the ball deflected off the rim.
- The ping pong ball, rolling towards the edge of the table, began to deflect.
2
to redirect focus or diverting someone's attention from a particular subject or matter
transitive
- Her ability to deflect blame during international negotiations contributed to the successful resolution of the conflict.
- The savvy manager was able to deflect criticism by acknowledging concerns.
- The celebrity tried to deflect accusations about their personal life by emphasizing charitable contributions.
Synonyms:
3
to alter the course or direction of something, especially from its original path or trajectory
transitive
- The armored tank was designed with sloped surfaces to deflect incoming projectiles.
- The aerodynamic engineers worked on a wing design that would efficiently deflect air currents.
- The goalkeeper skillfully used his hands to deflect the soccer ball away from the goal.
- The architect incorporated sloping roofs to deflect rainwater away from the building.
- The experienced snowboarder skillfully used his body movements to deflect the snow spray away.
4
to stop a person from doing what they initially intended
transitive
- The skilled diplomat managed to deflect the leader from launching an attack.
- Friends and family tried to deflect him from his self-destructive habits.
- The quick thinking of the bystanders helped deflect the teenager from making a hasty decision.
- The grassroots movement worked to deflect the politician from policies that would harm the environment.
- The committee deflected calls for immediate action by promising a future review.