deflect
dif lekt
- v prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening
- v turn from a straight course, fixed direction, or line of interest
- v turn aside and away from an initial or intended course
- v draw someone's attention away from something
He deflected his competitors - v impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball)
- The State Department refused to comment on the compromise, but officials said wire-mesh guards ("mosquito screens" that deflect 90% of the microwaves) have been installed across .
- But those were fictions meant to deflect challenges to his authenticity as a Palestinian.
- On the trail, McCain likes to deflect questions about his age and health with jokes.