1.  deflect(v = verb.social) avert, avoid, debar, fend off, forefend, forfend, head off, obviate, stave off, ward off - prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; "Let's avoid a confrontation"; "head off a confrontation"; "avert a strike"
is one way to forbid, foreclose, forestall, preclude, prevent
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s something; Something ----s something

2.  deflect(v = verb.motion) bend, turn away - turn from a straight course, fixed direction, or line of interest;
is one way to turn
Derived forms noun deflection₅, noun deflector₁, noun deflexion₄
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s something; Something ----s something

3.  deflect(v = verb.motion) - turn aside and away from an initial or intended course;
is one way to turn
Derived forms noun deflection₅, adjective deflective₁, noun deflector₁, noun deflexion₄
Sample sentences: Something ----s; Somebody ----s

4.  deflect(v = verb.emotion) distract - draw someone's attention away from something; "The thief distracted the bystanders"; "He deflected his competitors"
is one way to confuse, disconcert, flurry, put off
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s somebody; Something ----s somebody

5.  deflect(v = verb.competition) block, parry - impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball); "block an attack"
is one way to fence
Sample sentences: The fighter managed to deflect his opponent

deflect, v.
1 tr. & intr. bend or turn aside from a straight course or intended purpose.
2 (often foll. by from) a tr. cause to deviate. b intr. deviate.

Etymology:
L deflectere (as DE-, flectere flex- bend)

VB  be curved curve, sweep, sway, swag, sag, deviate, curl, turn, reenter, render curved, flex, bend, curve, incurvate, inflect, deflect, scatter, refract (light), crook, turn, round, arch, arcuate, arch over, concamerate, bow, curl, recurve, frizzle, rotundity, convexity.

VB  alter one's course, deviate, depart from, turn, trend, bend, curve, swerve, heel, bear off, gybe, wear, intervert, deflect, divert, divert from its course, put on a new scent, shift, shunt, draw aside, crook, warp, stray, straggle, sidle, diverge, tralineate, digress, wander, wind, twist, meander, veer, tack, divagate, sidetrack, turn aside, turn a corner, turn away from, wheel, steer clear of, ramble, rove, drift, go astray, go adrift, yaw, dodge, step aside, ease off, make way for, shy, fly off at a tangent, glance off, wheel about, face about, turn to the right about, face to the right about, waddle, go out of one's way, lose one's way.