• [intransitive, transitive] to change direction or make something change direction, especially after hitting something

  The ball deflected off Reid's body into the goal.

  deflect something He raised his arm to try to deflect the blow.

  The defender nearly deflected the ball into his own net.

• [transitive] deflect something to succeed in preventing something from being directed towards you

  synonym divert

  All attempts to deflect attention from his private life have failed.

  She sought to deflect criticism by blaming her family.

  The government is seeking to deflect attention away from this problem.

• [transitive] deflect somebody (from something) to prevent somebody from doing something that they are determined to do

  The government will not be deflected from its commitments.

Sources: http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/