deflected

[dih-flek-tid] / dɪˈflɛk tɪd /

VERB

bounce off; turn aside

Synonyms

STRONGEST

avert bend cover up divert hook pivot ricochet slip swerve veer whip

STRONG

curve deviate disperse diverge fend parry sheer shy sidetrack slew twist wheel whirl wind

WEAK

glance off hold off keep off volte-face

Antonyms

STRONGEST

stay straighten

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.

Staley deflected a reporter’s questions about what Auriemma claimed she said to officials.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

But the Kings tied it five minutes later when Drew Doughty’s shot from the blue line deflected off the heel of Bruins forward Elias Lindholm and into the net.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026

"The team's amazingly precise measurement again validates kinetic impact as a technique for defending Earth against asteroid hazards and shows how a binary asteroid might be deflected by impacting just one member of the pair."

From Barron's • Mar. 6, 2026

"In addition, when the pulses travel near a very massive object, they may be deflected and experience time delays due to the warping of space-time, as predicted by Einstein's General Theory of Relativity."

From Science Daily • Feb. 17, 2026

The letter-writer, apparently an engineer, estimated the wind deflected the wheel to one side by only an inch and a half.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson