Deflect is an action that involves redirecting something away from its intended course. DEFEND (6 letters) is to protect or guard against attack, SHEER (5 letters) is to move suddenly in a different direction, INTERCEPT (9 letters) is to stop or interrupt the progress of something, CHANGE (6 letters) is to make or become different, DASH (4 letters) is to move quickly and with great energy, DEVIATE (7 letters) is to TURN aside from a course or direction, BEND (4 letters) is to cause to CHANGE shape by pressure, AVOID (5 letters) is to keep away from or cease to do or use, SIDETRACK (9 letters) is to DIVERT from a main subject or line of thought, FEND (4 letters) is to ward off or DEFEND against, DIVERT (6 letters) is to TURN aside or away from a course, AVERT (5 letters) is to TURN away or aside, TURN (4 letters) is to cause to move around an axis or center, PARRY (5 letters) is to ward off or deflect, and RICOCHET (8 letters) is to rebound after striking a surface. All of these words are related to the action of deflecting something away from its intended course.