verb

deflect

dih-FLEHKT

verb

To cause something to change direction, usually by bouncing or glancing off.

"The goalkeeper deflected the shot over the crossbar."

"His shield deflected the arrow."

To avoid dealing directly with a question, criticism, or blame.

"The minister deflected every question about the scandal."

How to Use Deflect

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo bounce something off course, or to dodge a difficult question instead of answering it.

Common pairings

deflect criticism deflect blame deflect a question

deflected past tense, deflects singular

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Can you complete this real example?

The goalkeeper _____ the shot over the crossbar.

From Latin deflecto, from de- ("away") + flecto ("to bend").

reflect