Synonyms for deflect
Definitions
- v. 1
To make (something) deviate from its original path or position.
- v. 2
To touch the ball, often unwittingly, after a shot or a sharp pass, thereby making it unpredictable for the other players.
The defender deflected the cross into his own net.
- v. 3
To deviate from an original path or position.
Related words
- Word family
- deflective deflector deflection
Forms
- Past participle
- deflected
e.g. deflected → avoided, averted, obviated, debarred…
Choose the right word
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.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- avoid She started early in order to avoid the rush hour.
- avert We need to act now if we want to avert disaster.
- divert I tried to divert their attention without success.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| deflect | rising | |
| avoid | rising | |
| avert | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- turn1, bend1
- 5 letters
- avoid2, block1, wheel1, curve1, parry2, avert2, elude2, debar
- 6 letters
- divert2, swerve1
- 7 letters
- deviate3, diverge2, obviate3, recurve, refract, forfend
- 8 letters
- distract2
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (avoid2 = 2 syllables).