deflect

verbs

prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening
"Let's avoid a confrontation"; "head off a confrontation"; "avert a strike"
avert, avoid, debar, deflect, fend off, forefend, forfend, head off, obviate, stave off, ward off
turn from a straight course, fixed direction, or line of interest
bend, deflect, turn away
is derived from
deflexion
is derived from
deflection
is derived from
deflector
turn aside and away from an initial or intended course
deflect
is derived from
deflective
is derived from
deflexion
is derived from
deflection
is derived from
deflector
is a type of (narrower)
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"
turn
draw someone's attention away from something
"The thief distracted the bystanders"; "He deflected his competitors"
deflect, distract
impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball)
"block an attack"
block, deflect, parry