Synonyms 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

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

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

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms: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

Matched Categories

1. • Confuse
   • Fence
   • Prevent
   • Turn

Editors ContributionRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. cause to deviate

   synonymous

   my facts deflected his erroneous criticism

   Submitted by P.graham on September 22, 2020  

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. deflectverb

   Synonyms:
   deviate, diverge, swerve, turn aside

2. deflectverb

   Synonyms:
   bend, turn aside

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "deflect":

   divert, distract, hijack, deviate

How to pronounce deflect?

How to say deflect in sign language?

Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use deflect in a sentence?

1. The Democrat:

   Yesterday’s Republican letter is yet another disingenuous attempt to deflect blame away from Republican irresponsibility that is resulting in the loss of American lives, republicans and their right-wing disinformation machine are undermining vaccine confidence and then blaming the sitting president for a crisis of the unvaccinated that Republicans created.

2. 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.

3. Tim Walz:

   Saying there are outside forces is not to deflect and pretend we don't have that.

4. China Construction America:

   Baha Mar Ltd continues to spread false and misleading allegations in an effort to deflect attention away from its mismanagement of the Baha Mar resort project.

5. Mike Pompeo:

   Well, it's classic Clinton, right? When you find out you got a problem, you deflect, you deny, you create a contretemp where there really is none. Frankly, it's pretty clear who invited the Russians to do damage to America, and it was Hillary Clinton. She put classified information on a private server, inviting the Chinese, the Iranians, the Russians, all have access to it. I hope they didn't get it, but even the former director of the CIA said he thinks they probably did. So, the person who's put American national security risk isn't Donald Trump, it's Hillary Clinton.