deflect

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "deflect" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe someone avoiding an issue or question. For example, "The politician deflected when asked about his controversial remarks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That was his job and no one would deflect him from it.

The Guardian - Sport

But in an effort to deflect political heat over health cuts and new fees, the government has pledged to put every dollar from the savings into a "medical research future fund".

The Guardian

His agent, Michael Becker, feels that Ballack has been "made the scapegoat" to deflect from the team's lack of direction and Dutt's lack of authority inside the dressing room.

The Guardian - Sport

"I have myself witnessed repeated instances where there has been a denial of responsibility, corrosive suspicion, deliberate delay and a practice of hiding behind values in order to deflect or stifle criticism and protect self-interest.

The Guardian - Business

He in turn accused them of seeking to deflect attention from their flagship policy of independence.

The Guardian

I try to deflect questions about my periods of absence, or why I'm not going out that night.

The Guardian

Sometimes sweet and innocent, sometimes deranged with maniacal obsession, she provides the story with the layers required to give it depth and deflect the usual clichés of horror.

The Guardian - Film

Still, no character of mine is as devoted to the cause as Jude Sweetwine in I'll Give You the Sun, who carries around her grandmother's leather-bound "bible" of superstitions, and who, at any time, might have an onion in one pocket to ward off illness and a mirror in another to deflect unwanted attention.

The Guardian

By manipulating photons, they've discovered a way of making them react with and deflect each other, essentially forming a new type of matter.

The Guardian - Film

Shadow ministers have attempted to deflect any mention of it.

The Guardian

Climate scientists have been trying to dodge, catch or deflect those bullets for decades.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deflect" when you want to describe actions taken to avoid something, either physically or figuratively. For example, "The shield helped to deflect the arrows" or "The politician tried to deflect the questions about his past."

Common error

Avoid using "deflect" when you mean "reflect". "Deflect" implies a change in direction, while "reflect" means to bounce back. A mirror reflects light; a shield deflects blows.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "deflect" is as a verb. It describes the action of turning something aside or preventing it from reaching its intended target. Ludwig AI identifies its use in sentences that describe both physical redirection and figurative evasion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

26%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb "deflect" is a versatile term used to describe the action of turning something aside or avoiding an issue, question, or criticism. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse contexts. The examples from Ludwig show that "deflect" can be used both literally, to describe physical redirection, and figuratively, to describe evasion of difficult topics. Its related phrases include "divert attention" and "avert criticism", highlighting its connections to redirection and avoidance. While often confused with "reflect", it is important to remember that "deflect" implies a change in direction. This guide offers best practices for using "deflect" effectively and avoiding common errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

divert attention

Focus shifts from the original subject to something else.

avert criticism

Prevents or avoids facing criticism.

evade the question

Avoids answering a question directly.

sidestep the issue

Avoids dealing with the central point.

ward off

Defends against something harmful.

fend off

Resists or repels an attack.

parry the blow

Defends against an attack, often physical or metaphorical.

brush aside

Dismisses or ignores something.

turn aside

Changes direction or avoids something.

obviate the need

Eliminates the necessity for something.

FAQs

How can I use "deflect" in a sentence?

You can use "deflect" to describe physically turning something aside, as in "The goalie deflected the shot", or figuratively, as in "The politician tried to deflect criticism".

What's a good synonym for "deflect"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "divert", "avert", or "evade" as alternatives to "deflect".

When should I use "deflect" vs. "reflect"?

"Deflect" implies turning something away from its original course, while "reflect" means to bounce something back. For example, light can be reflected, while blame can be deflected.

How does "deflect" differ from "avoid"?

"Deflect" often implies a more active or forceful redirection, whereas "avoid" suggests simply staying clear of something. You might actively "deflect" an attack, but passively "avoid" a dangerous area.