deflect

Verb

Meaning

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

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

Source: Webster's dictionary

Synonyms

parry bend avoid block distract ward off avert debar fend off stave off turn away obviate forfend dodge stonewall
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Antonyms

have get help keep continue hold
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Hypernyms

turn prevent fence confuse forbid preclude

Related terms

deflection

Phrases with the word

deflect us

Derivatives

deflected deflecting

Anagrams

clefted

Examples

The invention of gunpowder and the constant improvement of firearms are enough in themselves to show that the advance of civilization has done nothing practical to alter or deflect the impulse to destroy the enemy, which is central to the very idea of war. Carl von Clausewitz

All I do is have fun. When I'm not working, it's about making people laugh. I love making jokes about things. Even when someone's mad at me, I'll deflect anger with humor. My days are filled with laughter. If I'm not laughing, I'm not happy. Drew Fuller

When women age into their power, no wind can upset them, no hand turn aside their knowledge, no fact can deflect their point of view. Louise Erdrich

NASA will send up a big sun shade that will be in orbit between the earth and sun and deflect 2 or 3 percent of the sunshine back into space. It would be cheaper than the international space station. James Lovelock

The injunction to be nice is used to deflect criticism and stifle the legitimate anger of dissent. Malcolm Gladwell

Extinguish the spark before the [the house is on] fire, deflect the trouble before [its] strike. Russian Proverb

Close letter words and terms

deflavorizing machine deflazacort deflea deflect us deflectable deflectably