Deflect

A barrier, designed to deflect noise away from nearby houses, was erected along the edge of the freeway.

A lot of people deflect praise that comes their way, because they don't know how to handle it.

Magnetospheres — the magnetic fields around most planets — exist throughout our solar system. They deflect high-energy, charged particles called cosmic rays that are spewed out by the Sun or come from interstellar space.

Philippine motorcycle riders wear masks to deflect vehicular exhausts in heavy traffic.

Yanni wanted to deflect attention.

Tom tried to deflect Mary's question.

Deflect any question related to your personal life.

"We're saying our goal is to deflect an asteroid, that is, to move an asteroid, to change its orbit, by 2015," he says.

Rather than holding nations accountable for their atrocities, some individuals deflect blame by targeting those who dare to speak out, diverting attention from the real perpetrators of war crimes and human rights violations.

I strongly believe that the American people have an interest in strengthening global norms that respect the rights and dignity of all people—in the United States, in China, and around the world. I fear, however, that the growing bipartisan push for a confrontation with China will set back those goals and risks empowering authoritarian, ultranationalistic forces in both countries. It will also deflect attention from the shared common interests the two countries have in combating truly existential threats such as climate change, pandemics, and the destruction that a nuclear war would bring.