deflect in WordNet English dictionary

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