Antonyms for deflect
dɪˈflɛktde·flect

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:2.5 / 2 votes

1. deflect

   In some cases a thing is spoken of as bent where the parts make an angle; but oftener to bend is understood to be to draw to or through a curve; as, to bend a bow. To submit or yield is to bend the mind humbly to another's wishes. To incline or influence is to bend another's wishes toward our own; to persuade is to draw them quite over. To warp is to bend silently through the whole fiber, as a board in the sun. To crook is to bend irregularly, as a crooked stick. Deflect, deviate, and diverge are said of any turning away; deviate commonly of a slight and gradual movement, diverge of a more sharp and decided one. To bias is to cut across the texture, or incline to one side; in figurative use always with an unfavorable import. Mold is a stronger work than bend; we may bend by a superior force that which still resists the constraint; as, a bent bow; we mold something plastic entirely to some desired form.

   Synonyms:
   bend, bias, bow, crook, curve, deviate, diverge, incline, influence, mold, persuade, stoop, submit, turn, twine, twist, warp, yield

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:4.0 / 1 vote

1. deflect

   Antonyms:
   continue, proceed, straighten, unbend, prolong, produce

   Synonyms:
   turn, deviate, diverge, swerve, divert, recurve

Matched Categories

1. • Confuse
   • Fence
   • Prevent
   • Turn

Princeton's WordNetRate these antonyms:2.5 / 2 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"

   Synonyms:
   forfend, avoid, eliminate, avert, ward off, distract, keep off, bend, suspend, obviate, invalidate, fend off, stave off, block, nullify, debar, exclude, head off, forefend, annul, quash, rid of, parry, bar, turn away, void

2. deflect, bend, turn awayverb

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

   Synonyms:
   distract, bow, avert, ward off, refuse, twist, bend, deform, obviate, fend off, stave off, block, debar, avoid, head off, forfend, stoop, forefend, parry, flex, turn away, reject, crouch, turn, turn down

3. deflectverb

   turn aside and away from an initial or intended course

   Synonyms:
   head off, block, obviate, forfend, forefend, avoid, stave off, fend off, parry, bend, turn away, debar, distract, ward off, avert

4. distract, deflectverb

   draw someone's attention away from something

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

   Synonyms:
   forfend, unhinge, disorder, avert, ward off, disquiet, bend, distract, obviate, perturb, fend off, stave off, block, debar, avoid, head off, forefend, parry, trouble, turn away, cark

5. parry, block, deflectverb

   impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball)

   "block an attack"

   Synonyms:
   ward off, debar, circumvent, evade, block up, lug, halt, sidestep, obturate, jam, stuff, fend off, block off, close up, blank out, freeze, bend, head off, obstruct, avert, impede, dodge, embarrass, kibosh, draw a blank, duck, hinder, avoid, block, forget, hedge, immobilize, stop, put off, stymy, fudge, blockade, immobilise, turn away, bar, occlude, barricade, obviate, elude, forefend, parry, choke up, forfend, stymie, stave off, distract, skirt

How to use deflect in a sentence?

1. 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.

2. Kort E. Patterson:

   Some informants spied on their neighbors because they actually believed the propaganda… Some denounced their enemies in order to settle personal grudges. Some were driven by their own fears to attempt to deflect attention away from themselves…Some were motivated by the sense of power turning in their neighbors gave them.

3. 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.

4. Bill Foutris:

   This counterclaim is an attempt to deflect from what the officer did, he shot a teen four times in the back.

5. Kate Andersen Brower:

   She speaks five languages, she was not born in the US, and she is generally viewed as more compassionate than her husband, so this is an important moment for her to show a more empathetic side of her husband's administration, it's important that people see her Africa trip in the best possible light, not as pandering or trying to deflect attention away from the scandal in the White House but as a genuine effort to help showcase accomplishments made there and the work that still needs to be done.

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