Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb deflect

5 senses of deflect

Sense 1
debar, forefend, forfend, obviate, deflect, avert, head off, stave off, fend off, avoid, ward off -- (prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; "Let's avoid a confrontation"; "head off a confrontation"; "avert a strike")
       => prevent, forestall, foreclose, preclude, forbid -- (keep from happening or arising; make impossible; "My sense of tact forbids an honest answer"; "Your role in the projects precludes your involvement in the competitive project")

Sense 2
deflect, bend, turn away -- (turn from a straight course, fixed direction, or line of interest)
       => turn -- (change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense; "Turn towards me"; "The mugger turned and fled before I could see his face"; "She turned from herself and learned to listen to others' needs")

Sense 3
deflect -- (turn aside and away from an initial or intended course)
       => turn -- (change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense; "Turn towards me"; "The mugger turned and fled before I could see his face"; "She turned from herself and learned to listen to others' needs")

Sense 4
distract, deflect -- (draw someone's attention away from something; "The thief distracted the bystanders"; "He deflected his competitors")
       => confuse, flurry, disconcert, put off -- (cause to feel embarrassment; "The constant attention of the young man confused her")

Sense 5
parry, block, deflect -- (impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball); "block an attack")
       => fence -- (fight with fencing swords)