avoided · evaded · distracted · interrupted · segue · tangent · awkward · uncomfortable · nervous · smooth · abrupt · suddenly · conversation · topic · elephant · tension · silence · steering
IDEA.org / Words / changed the subject
Related — deflected (Caused to veer off); dodged (Avoided by quick movement); pivoted (Turned on axis); sidestepped · redirected · avoided · evaded · distracted · interrupted · segue · tangent · awkward · uncomfortable
conversational continuitychanged the subject ≠ elaborated Developed in greater detail; followed up · circled back · doubled down · persisted
directness of engagementchanged the subject ≠ came clean Confessed fully; got to the point · opened up
engagement with difficult contentchanged the subject ≠ had it out Resolved through direct confrontation
Word data: Linguabase (CC0) · www.idea.org/words/changed_the_subject