deflecting
Parrying an attack
Deflecting is turning something aside from its course.
A shield deflects blows; a windshield deflects rain.
The word applies equally to physical redirection and conversational evasion: She kept deflecting questions about her personal life.
When someone deflects blame or criticism, they redirect it away from themselves, often onto others.
Avoiding by moving aside
- sidesteppingMoving aside to avoid
- avoidingDeliberately staying clear
- duckingBending to avoid impact
- evadingSkillfully keeping away from
shirking · diverting · redirecting · changing the subject · stonewalling · brushing off · dismissing · scapegoating
Angled deflection off surface
- reboundReturn after deflection
- glancingLooking briefly or obliquely
- bounceSpring back after impact
- angleGeometric measure of rotation
trajectory · shield · armor · parry · block · swerve · veer · curve
Something that extends outward
- displacementRemoval from usual location
- rationalizationInventing acceptable motives afterward
- defense mechanismUnconscious self-protective mental process
- blame-shiftingAttributing fault to others
externalization · denial · avoidance · coping · ego · guilt · shame · unconscious
dodging
Avoiding by moving aside
- sidesteppingMoving aside to avoid
- avoidingDeliberately staying clear
- duckingBending to avoid impact
evading · shirking · diverting · redirecting · changing the subject · stonewalling · brushing off · dismissing · scapegoating · denial
ricochet
Angled deflection off surface
angle · trajectory · shield · armor · parry · block · swerve · veer · curve · bend
projection
Something that extends outward
- displacementRemoval from usual location
- rationalizationInventing acceptable motives afterward
- defense mechanismUnconscious self-protective mental process
blame-shifting · externalization · denial · avoidance · coping · ego · guilt · shame · unconscious · Freudian
- deceptionlie, lies, lying, fake, fraud
- defensedefense, defending, protecting, protection, security
- evasionevasion, avoiding, avoids, evade, dodging
- evasion tacticsevasion, avoidance, dodging, sidestepping, misdirection
- excusesexcuse, not my fault, overslept, alibi, excuses
- interferenceinterfering, meddling, intruding, butting in, obstructing
deflectingattracting
Drawing toward oneself
drawing in · absorbing · magnetizing · receiving · collecting
deflectingaccepting
Willing to receive
acknowledging · confronting · facing · owning · taking responsibility