From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishdeflectde‧flect /dɪˈflekt/ ●○○ verb 1 [intransitive, transitive]HIT/BUMP INTO if someone or something deflects something that is moving, or if it deflects, it turns in a different direction He deflected the blow with his forearm.2 [transitive]STOP something THAT IS HAPPENING to do something to stop people paying attention to you, criticizing you etcdeflect something (away) from something his attempts to deflect attention away from his private life The committee is seeking to deflect criticism by blaming me.3 [transitive]DISTURB to take someone’s attention away from somethingdeflect somebody from (doing) something Nothing can deflect me from reaching my goal.→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
deflect• Eisenhower could not so easily deflect a response to state defiance.• And the chairman had occasionally to be very adept at deflecting any risk of libel!• It changes, and can be deflected by the least puff of wind.• The win featured a 15-yard bicycle-kick by Hayden Brown off a deflected corner kick.• While helping Johnson to deflect criticism from conservatives, Hoover expanded the mission of his agency in the domestic arena.• Then, just as he responds, pull back out of range, deflecting his technique and countering.• One effort hit the bar and the other brought out a fine save from Burridge after deflecting off Payton.• The Stealth bomber is designed to deflect radar waves, making it "invisible."deflected ... blow• As the knife flashed down, aimed at his heart, Connor deflected the blow with his left forearm.deflect something (away) from something• While helping Johnson to deflect criticism from conservatives, Hoover expanded the mission of his agency in the domestic arena.• A disposition to incremental change can deflect one from considering or even comprehending wider and more fundamental problems.• What is interesting is that the brush-off did not weaken her resolve or deflect her from her mission.• In fact, the federal budget is designed to deflect responsibility away from politicians.• They could deflect attention from the bride.• Sprint and jink though the gazelle may, there is nothing to deflect the cheetah from the chase.• An inner spiral has also been added to deflect swirling grain from the cyclone's inlet pipe, minimising wear.• Glasgow certainly needs a modern landmark - something to deflect the eye from the miserable tower blocks of the 1960s.deflect somebody from (doing) something• While helping Johnson to deflect criticism from conservatives, Hoover expanded the mission of his agency in the domestic arena.• A disposition to incremental change can deflect one from considering or even comprehending wider and more fundamental problems.• What is interesting is that the brush-off did not weaken her resolve or deflect her from her mission.• In fact, the federal budget is designed to deflect responsibility away from politicians.• They could deflect attention from the bride.• Sprint and jink though the gazelle may, there is nothing to deflect the cheetah from the chase.• An inner spiral has also been added to deflect swirling grain from the cyclone's inlet pipe, minimising wear.• Glasgow certainly needs a modern landmark - something to deflect the eye from the miserable tower blocks of the 1960s.Origin deflect (1500-1600) Latin deflectere “to bend down, turn away” 