deflect

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

When Exxon Mobil counterpunched with its defamation claim, Mr. Bonta’s spokesperson called it “another attempt from Exxon Mobil to deflect attention from its own unlawful deception.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Gen. Pam Bondi tried to deflect questions about her handling of the Jeffrey Epstein records by crowing about it.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

When called to testify before an oversight board, a police official can deflect accusations of targeting specific racial groups or poorer neighborhoods, claiming that they are merely following the objective dictates of a machine.

From Salon • Feb. 8, 2026

Automated customer-service systems deflect a growing share of inquiries away from human agents.

From Barron's • Feb. 1, 2026

He had no desire to doubt again; he did not want to hear anything that would deflect him from his purpose.

From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling