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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Deflect: Meaning, Usage & Examples in English (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：cause to change direction (deflect)

deflect 🔊

/dɪˈflekt/

To cause a moving object, like a ball or a bullet, to change direction by hitting something.

Deflect meaning illustrated by a soccer goalie changing the ball's flight path.

cause to change direction 🔊

➕

/kɔːz tə tʃeɪndʒ dɪˈrɛkʃən/

To make a moving object alter its path by hitting or interfering with it.

📁 Category：Entertainment & Sports 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'deflectere', meaning 'to bend away'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'deflect' as bending something away, like a shield deflecting arrows.

📖 Example

The goalkeeper made a brilliant save, using his gloves to deflect the powerful shot over the crossbar. 🔊 The goalkeeper made a brilliant save by deflecting the powerful shot over the crossbar.

🔗 Collocations

deflect a blow – to change the direction of a physical attack

deflect attention – to divert focus away from something

deflect criticism – to avoid or redirect negative comments

🔄 Synonyms

divert (v.) – to change the direction of something

redirect (v.) – to send something in a different direction

bounce (v.) – to cause something to rebound off a surface

🚫 Antonyms

absorb (v.) – to take in or soak up something without deflecting it

accept (v.) – to receive something directly without diversion

🌱 Derivatives

deflection (n.) – the act of deflecting or the state of being deflected

deflective (adj.) – having the ability to deflect

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'deflect' originates from Latin 'deflectere', combining 'de-' (away) and 'flectere' (to bend). It entered English in the 16th century, initially for physical diversion and later extended to metaphorical contexts like avoiding questions.

Meaning 2：avoid answering directly (deflect)

deflect 🔊

/dɪˈflekt/

To avoid answering a difficult question directly by talking about something else instead.

Deflect meaning shown as a person politely avoiding a direct question in a meeting.

avoid answering directly 🔊

➕

/əˈvɔɪd ˈɑːnsərɪŋ dɪˈrɛktli/

To evade a difficult question by changing the subject or talking about something else.

📁 Category：Social Roles 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

When the reporter asked about the recent company losses, the CEO tried to deflect by praising the team's hard work. 🔊 When asked about company losses, the CEO deflected by praising the team's hard work.

🔗 Collocations

deflect a question – to avoid giving a direct answer to a question

deflect blame – to shift responsibility away from oneself

deflect scrutiny – to avoid close examination or criticism

🔄 Synonyms

evade (v.) – to avoid dealing with something directly

dodge (v.) – to avoid something by moving quickly or cleverly

sidestep (v.) – to avoid an issue or question

🚫 Antonyms

address (v.) – to deal with or discuss something directly

confront (v.) – to face a problem or question head-on