noun the act of deflecting or the state of being deflected
verb to cause something to change direction by hitting it at an angle
In military contexts, 'deflect' can refer to the act of diverting an attack or missile away from its intended target.
In sports such as soccer or hockey, 'deflect' is used to describe the action of redirecting a ball or puck away from its original path, often to score a goal or prevent a goal.
In engineering, 'deflect' is often used to refer to the bending or deformation of a structure or material under applied load.
In physics, the word 'deflect' is used to describe the action of changing the direction of an object or particle due to collision or interaction with another object or force.
In writing, the term 'deflect' can be used to describe the act of redirecting attention or blame away from a certain topic or person.
Psychologists may use the term 'deflect' when discussing defense mechanisms, where individuals unconsciously redirect their thoughts or feelings away from a threatening situation.
Lawyers may use the term 'deflect' when referring to the act of redirecting a line of questioning during a trial in order to protect their client.
Politicians may use the term 'deflect' when trying to shift public attention away from a controversial issue by focusing on a different topic.
In the field of public relations, professionals may use the term 'deflect' when addressing negative publicity or criticism by redirecting the conversation towards more positive aspects of a situation.