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.

Those in charge that day have deflected blame, while other firefighters testified that they didn’t question what they were assigned to do.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

"I'm not going to be diverted or deflected from that by what anybody else says."

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

Cheng has deflected questions about her position, saying recently it was "premature" to discuss a final solution and what was needed now was "peaceful and stable cross-strait relations."

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

To mitigate her dishonesty, she deflected all honor from herself, filling her letters widi praise for Zoe.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides