deflect — English Dictionary

Verb

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

   Usage

   • Transitive

2. To touch the ball, often unwittingly, after a shot or a sharp pass, thereby making it unpredictable for the other players.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   The defender deflected the cross into his own net.

3. To deviate from an original path or position.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

4. To avoid addressing (questions, criticism, etc.).

   Usage

   • Figurative
   • Transitive

   Synonyms

   elude

   Examples

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

5. To divert (attention, etc.).

   Usage

   • Figurative
   • Transitive

   Examples

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

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

6. To redirect culpability to avoid it.

Verb

1. prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; to protect from or to keep away anything undesirable; to ward off

   Synonyms

   debarforefendforfendobviateaverthead offstave offfend offavoidward off

   Broader terms

   preventforestallforecloseprecludeforbid

   Examples

   Let's avoid a confrontation

   head off a confrontation

   More examples (1)

   avert a strike

2. turn from a straight course, fixed direction, or line of interest

   Synonyms

   bendturn away

   Broader terms

   turn

3. turn aside and away from an initial or intended course

   Broader terms

   turn

4. draw someone's attention away from something

   Synonyms

   distract

   Broader terms

   confuseflurrydisconcertput off

   Examples

   The thief distracted the bystanders

   He deflected his competitors

5. impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball)

   Synonyms

   parryblock

   Broader terms

   fence

   Examples

   block an attack