English verb: deflect | |||
1. | deflect (social) prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening | ||
Samples | Let's avoid a confrontation. Head off a confrontation. Avert a strike. | ||
Synonyms | avert, avoid, debar, fend off, forefend, forfend, head off, obviate, stave off, ward off | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | forbid, foreclose, forestall, preclude, prevent | ||
2. | deflect (motion) turn from a straight course, fixed direction, or line of interest | ||
Synonyms | bend, turn away | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | turn | ||
3. | deflect (motion) turn aside and away from an initial or intended course | ||
Pattern of use | Something ----s. Somebody ----s | ||
Broader (hypernym) | turn | ||
4. | deflect (emotion) draw someone's attention away from something | ||
Samples | The thief distracted the bystanders. He deflected his competitors. | ||
Synonyms | distract | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s somebody. Something ----s somebody | ||
Broader (hypernym) | confuse, disconcert, flurry, put off | ||
5. | deflect (competition) impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball) | ||
Samples | Block an attack. | ||
Examples | The fighter managed to deflect his opponent | ||
Synonyms | block, parry | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | fence | ||