deflect
Translation
to turn aside, to divert, to parry
Examples
The shield deflected the arrow.
The shield deflected the arrow.
He deflected the question with a joke.
He deflected the question with a joke.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to cause (sth.) to change direction The shield deflected the arrow.
((sth.)) ((from sb./sth.)) to divert (criticism, attention, etc.) from (sb./sth.) He deflected the question with a joke.
Similar Words
Synonyms: divert, avert, parry; Antonyms: attract, absorb
Etymology
From Latin 'de-' (away) + 'flectere' (to bend). Literally 'to bend away'.
Memory Tips
Imagine a force field deflecting a laser beam. This word applies to both physical things and abstract things like questions.