Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

deflect-a-question

verb phrase

/dɪˈflɛkt ə ˈkwɛs.tʃən/

Definition

To avoid answering a question directly by shifting the focus to a different topic.

Examples

During the interview, she tried to deflect a question about her past mistakes by discussing her future goals.
He always manages to deflect a question with humor to lighten the mood.
When asked about his political views, he deflected the question by praising the current administration’s achievements.

Meaning

When someone deflects a question, they are intentionally steering the conversation away from the original inquiry, often to evade scrutiny or avoid discomfort.