deflect

Verb	1.	deflect - prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; "Let's avoid a confrontation"; "head off a confrontation"; "avert a strike" avert, fend off, head off, stave off, ward off, obviate, avoid, debar foreclose, forestall, preclude, prevent, forbid - keep from happening or arising; have the effect of preventing; "My sense of tact forbids an honest answer"
	2.	deflect - turn from a straight course , fixed direction, or line of interest turn away, bend turn - change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense; "Turn towards me"; "The mugger turned and fled before I could see his face"; "She turned from herself and learned to listen to others' needs"
	3.	deflect - turn aside deviate turn - change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense; "Turn towards me"; "The mugger turned and fled before I could see his face"; "She turned from herself and learned to listen to others' needs"
	4.	deflect - draw someone's attention away from something; "The thief distracted the bystanders"; "He deflected his competitors" distract disconcert, flurry, confuse, put off - cause to feel embarrassment; "The constant attention of the young man confused her"
	5.	deflect - impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball); "block an attack" parry, block fence - fight with fencing swords

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