ENGLISH
REFERENCE

deflected

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //dɪˈfɫɛktɪd// UK //dɪflˈɛktɪd// de·flect·ed

v. to change the direction of something that is moving, often by hitting it or putting something in its way. It can also mean turning someone's attention away from a topic.

v. past tense and past participle of 'deflect'; refers to causing an object to change course by interposing an obstacle or redirecting a person's attention or criticism.


SIMPLE

The goalkeeper deflected the ball over the bar.

CONTEXTUAL

The politician deflected the reporter's difficult question by talking about his recent successes instead.

COMPLEX

The asteroid's path was slightly deflected by the gravitational pull of the passing moon, preventing a direct collision with the planet's surface.

Synonyms
Usage

The verb is transitive and typically takes a direct object representing the object or attention being redirected.

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