deflections
Paths sent askew
Deflections are instances of turning something aside from its course.
A deflection might be physical—a hockey puck deflecting off a stick, a bullet deflecting off armor.
The word also describes conversational evasion: His jokes were deflections from the real issue.
In psychology, deflection is a defense mechanism that redirects attention away from oneself.
Angled deflection off surface
- bounceSpring back after impact
- refractionWave bending between media
- angleGeometric measure of rotation
- trajectoryPath of moving object
incidence · carom · glancing · scattering · deviation · bending · curving · rebound
Curving from straight
- flexingContracting muscles voluntarily
- warpingBecoming bent or twisted
- saggingBending downward weakly
- bowingBending forward in deference
deformation · stress · load · strain · displacement · curvature · buckling · yielding
Avoiding by moving aside
- sidesteppingMoving aside to avoid
- avoidanceDeliberate keeping away
- parryingDeflecting an attack
- duckingBending to avoid impact
weaving · eluding · blocking · fending off · warding off · brushing off · rebuffing · repelling
Angled deflection off surface
- armorProtective combat covering
- projectileLaunched airborne object
- bulletFired metal projectile
- shrapnelScattered explosion fragments
impact · shield · plating · glancing blow · penetration · trajectory · angle of incidence · kevlar
Protect from loss
- blockSolid mass, or impede
- parryDefensive blade deflection
- tipEnd or gratuity
- gloveFitted hand covering
goaltender · goalkeeper · rebound · puck · shot · clearance · header · palm
Unfairly assigning fault to innocents
- finger-pointingAssigning blame openly
- excusesExplanations offered for faults
- denialRefusal to accept reality
- rationalizationInventing acceptable motives afterward
passing the buck · accusation · misdirection · distraction · cover-up · spin · damage control · obfuscation
ricochet
Angled deflection off surface
- bounceSpring back after impact
- refractionWave bending between media
- angleGeometric measure of rotation
trajectory · incidence · carom · glancing · scattering · deviation · bending · curving · rebound · angular
bending
Curving from straight
bowing · deformation · stress · load · strain · displacement · curvature · buckling · yielding · elasticity
dodging
Avoiding by moving aside
- sidesteppingMoving aside to avoid
- avoidanceDeliberate keeping away
- parryingDeflecting an attack
ducking · weaving · eluding · blocking · fending off · warding off · brushing off · rebuffing · repelling · diverting
ricochet
Angled deflection off surface
- armorProtective combat covering
- projectileLaunched airborne object
- bulletFired metal projectile
shrapnel · impact · shield · plating · glancing blow · penetration · trajectory · angle of incidence · kevlar · ballistic
save
Protect from loss
glove · goaltender · goalkeeper · rebound · puck · shot · clearance · header · palm · fingertip
scapegoating
Unfairly assigning fault to innocents
- finger-pointingAssigning blame openly
- excusesExplanations offered for faults
- denialRefusal to accept reality
rationalization · passing the buck · accusation · misdirection · distraction · cover-up · spin · damage control · obfuscation · stonewalling
- goalkeepingsave, saves, goalkeeper, goalie, goaltender
- sports statsstats, most points, yards, most goals, box scores
deflectionsimpacts
Forceful contacts or influences
strikes · collisions · connections · penetrations · bullseyes
deflectionsacknowledgments
Recognition of contributions
admissions · confrontations · acceptances · engagements · owning up
deflectionsrigidity
State of being unbending
stiffness · resistance · immovability · stability · firmness