Definitions for deflect
dɪˈflɛktde·flect

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. debar, forefend, forfend, obviate, deflect, avert, head off, stave off, fend off, avoid, ward offverb

   prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening

   "Let's avoid a confrontation"; "head off a confrontation"; "avert a strike"

2. deflect, bend, turn awayverb

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

3. deflectverb

   turn aside and away from an initial or intended course

4. distract, deflectverb

   draw someone's attention away from something

   "The thief distracted the bystanders"; "He deflected his competitors"

5. parry, block, deflectverb

   impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball)

   "block an attack"

GCIDERate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. deflectverb

   To cause to turn aside; to bend; as, rays of light are often deflected; to deflect a punch; to deflect criticism by acknowledging a mistake.

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. deflectverb

   To make (something) deviate from its original path.

2. deflectverb

   To deviate from its original path.

3. deflectverb

   To knock aside.

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

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. To DEFLECTverb

   To turn aside; to deviate from a true course, or right line.

   Etymology: deflecto, Latin.

   At some parts of the Azores the needle deflecteth not, but lieth in the true meridian: on the other side of the Azores, and this side of the Equator, the North point of the needle wheeleth to the West. Thomas Browne, Vulgar Errours.

   Arising beyond the Equator, it maketh northward almost fifteen degrees; and deflecting after westward, without meanders, continueth a strait course about forty degrees. Brown.

   For did not some from a strait course deflect,
   They could not meet, they could no world erect. Richard Blackmore.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. deflect

   Deflect generally means to cause something to change direction by interposing something; to turn aside from a straight course. It can also refer to the act of preventing something from happening or drawing attention away from an unfavorable situation. Deflect is commonly used in physical, psychological or conversational contexts.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Deflectverb

   to cause to turn aside; to bend; as, rays of light are often deflected

2. Deflectverb

   to turn aside; to deviate from a right or a horizontal line, or from a proper position, course or direction; to swerve

3. Etymology: [L. deflectere; de- + flectere to bend or turn. See Flexible.]

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Deflect

   de-flekt′, v.i. or v.t. to turn aside: to swerve or deviate from a right line or proper course.—p.adj. Deflect′ed (bot.), bent abruptly downward.—ns. Deflec′tion, Deflex′ion, deviation.—adj. Deflec′tive, causing deflection.—n. Deflec′tor, a diaphragm in a lamp, stove, &c., by which the flame and gases are brought together and the combustion improved.—v.t. Deflex′ (zool., bot.), to bend down.—adj. Deflexed′.—n. Deflex′ure, deviation. [L. de, from, and flectĕre, flexum, to bend, turn.]

Matched Categories

1. • Confuse
   • Fence
   • Prevent
   • Turn

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

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Anagrams for deflect »

1. clefted

How to pronounce deflect?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say deflect in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of deflect in Chaldean Numerology is: 5

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of deflect in Pythagorean Numerology is: 1

Examples of deflect in a Sentence

1. Judy Huth:

   I was trying to deflect, but he didn’t stop. I just closed my eyes. … It was so fast. Maybe five minutes. Quick.

2. Kevin Roach:

   As the EPA has taken responsibility for the discharge it is unfortunate that Mr. Hennis, whose company owns the Gold King mine, is trying to deflect responsibility from what has clearly been the location of the incident, which is Gold King mine.

3. Alex French:

   We feel fortunate that The Atlantic decided to work with us, and we are grateful that the piece has gone through The Atlantic's thoughtful editorial process, which included another rigorous fact-check and robust legal vetting, singer's response to The Atlantic story wrongfully used' homophobia' to deflect from sexual assault allegations and GLAAD urges the media and the industry at large to not gloss over the fact that survivors of sexual assault should be put first.

4. Mike Pompeo:

   We can now see the fix was in for President Obama and Secretary Clinton to make sure that Bernie Sanders would never be elected. That's embarrassing to many Democrats, so they're flailing about trying to find separate storyline to deflect from the true substance of what was in those emails.

5. Matt Brooks:

   His comment about Netanyahu and Israel is a pivot to deflect from the fact that he’s unwilling and unprepared to condemn the hatred of Mr. Farrakhan.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=deflect
2. ^ GCIDE
   https://gcide.gnu.org.ua/?q=deflect
3. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Deflect
4. ^ Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
   https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/views/search.php?term=deflect
5. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
6. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deflect
7. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=deflect
8. ^ Usage in printed sources
   https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=deflect