Deflect: meaning, definitions and examples

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deflect

[ dɪˈflɛkt ]

^{Context #1}

physics

To cause something to change direction, or to prevent something from having its full effect.

Synonyms

avert, divert, redirect

Examples of usage

He deflected questions about his personal life with humor.
The armor deflected the arrow away from the knight.
The goalie deflected the ball with his hand.

^{Context #2}

conversation

To turn aside or deviate from a purpose.

Synonyms

distract, sidetrack, steer away

Examples of usage

She tried to deflect the conversation to a more positive topic.
He always deflects from the main issue.

^{Context #3}

sports

A technique used in sports to block or change the direction of an object.

Synonyms

block, intercept, stop

Examples of usage

The player used a deflect to prevent the goal.
The deflect was successful in stopping the opponent.

Translations

Translations of the word "deflect" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desviar

refletir
desviar-se

🇮🇳 विचलित करना

प्रतिविम्बित करना
हटा देना

🇩🇪 ablenken

reflektieren
abwehren

🇮🇩 mengalihkan

memantulkan
menangkis

🇺🇦 відхиляти

відбивати
ухилятися

🇵🇱 odchylać

odbijać
unikać

🇯🇵 そらす

反射する
避ける

🇫🇷 dévier

refléter
esquiver

🇪🇸 desviar

reflejar
esquivar

🇹🇷 saptırmak

yansıtmak
savuşturmak

🇰🇷 피하다

반사하다
빗나가다

🇸🇦 يحول

يعكس
يتجنب

🇨🇿 odklonit

odrážet
vyhnout se

🇸🇰 odkloniť

odrážať
vyhnúť sa

🇨🇳 偏转

反射
避开

🇸🇮 preusmeriti

odsevati
izogniti se

🇮🇸 víkja

endurspegla
forðast

🇰🇿 ауытқу

шағылдыру
аулақ болу

🇬🇪 გადახრა

ასახვა
აცილება

🇦🇿 yayındırmaq

əks etdirmək
yayındırmaq

🇲🇽 desviar

reflejar
esquivar

Word origin

The word 'deflect' originated from the Latin word 'deflectere', which means 'to bend down'. It has been used in English since the 15th century, originally in the sense of turning aside or deviating. Over time, it has evolved to encompass the idea of redirecting or preventing something from its original course.