deflect

About 0.87 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. verb To make (something) deviate from its original path or position.
2. verb To touch the ball, often unwittingly, after a shot or a sharp pass, thereby making it unpredictable for the other players.

   The defender deflected the cross into his own net.

3. verb To deviate from an original path or position.
4. verb To avoid addressing (questions, criticism, etc.).

   The Prime Minister deflected some increasingly pointed questions by claiming he had an appointment.

5. verb To divert (attention, etc.).
6. verb To redirect culpability to avoid it.

Similar words

distract turn away ward off stave off avert fend off obviate debar avoid draw away

Often followed by

the attention it a him criticism them from and or

Word family

deflectable deflected deflecting deflective deflector deflectors deflects