deflects
Wards off blows
Deflects means to turn something aside or cause it to change direction.
A shield deflects a blow; a mirror deflects light.
Figuratively, to deflect is to redirect attention or avoid direct engagement: He deflected the question with a joke, She deflected criticism by blaming her staff.
The word implies a glancing redirection rather than a full stop.
Evades with quick movement
- evadesAvoids by cunning
- sidestepsEvades by moving aside
- avoidsDeliberately stays away from
- dismissesTerminates or rejects
rebuffs · brushes off · shrugs off · diverts · redirects · blame · accountability · responsibility
Sends in new direction
- bouncesSprings back repeatedly
- ricochetsDeflects off hard surfaces
- divertsTurns aside from course
- parriesDefensive blade movements
blocks · glances · rebounds · repels · shields · wards · armor · angles
Diverts attention from focus
- divertsTurns aside from course
- misdirectsSends the wrong way
- redirectsSends in new direction
- shiftsMoves or work periods
decoys · smokescreen · feints · sleight · subterfuge · distraction · focus · spotlight
dodges
Evades with quick movement
dismisses · rebuffs · brushes off · shrugs off · diverts · redirects · blame · accountability · responsibility · questions
redirects
Sends in new direction
parries · blocks · glances · rebounds · repels · shields · wards · armor · angles · trajectory
distracts
Diverts attention from focus
- divertsTurns aside from course
- misdirectsSends the wrong way
- redirectsSends in new direction
shifts · decoys · smokescreen · feints · sleight · subterfuge · distraction · focus · spotlight · scrutiny
blocks
Obstructs or sections
tips · goalkeeper · goalie · pads · stick · glove · net · puck · shot · header
- evasionevasion, avoiding, avoids, evade, dodging
- bouncing backrebounds, springs back, snaps back, ricochets, boomerang effect
- distortionsdistort, distorts, deform, warp, twist
- repelsrepels, wards off, keeps away, fends off, drives away
- deflector shieldProtective energy barrier
- wind deflectorDevice redirecting airflow away
- bug deflectorVehicle-mounted insect shield
deflect, deflection, deflected, deflecting, deflector, deflective, deflectors