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

That’s when Hilary Knight deflected a Laila Edwards slap shot past Canadian goalie Ann-Renée Desbiens to even the score and eventually send the game to overtime.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 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

This high then blocks areas of low pressure and milder, wet weather from pushing across from the Atlantic and the jet stream is deflected further south.

From BBC • Feb. 5, 2026

As he knew, these were deflected somewhat by magnetic fields but, curiously, even more on their passage through solid matter—even through a thin film such as mica.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik