Deflect vs. Reflect: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Updated on September 9, 2023
Deflect means to turn aside or deviate from a direction. Reflect means to send back light, heat, or sound without absorbing it.
Difference Between Deflect and Reflect
Deflect and reflect are both verbs that describe how objects interact with forces or energy, but they function differently. To deflect is to cause something to change direction, often by turning it aside from its intended path. A shield, for instance, might deflect arrows away from a warrior. In contrast, to reflect is to send something back without absorbing it. Mirrors are classic examples, as they reflect light and images.
Muazma Batool
Sep 09, 2023
The concept of deflection often carries with it the notion of protection or avoidance. For example, in discussions, a person might deflect a question by changing the topic, suggesting that the question is avoided rather than addressed directly. Reflect, on the other hand, has a more neutral or even introspective connotation. In conversations, to reflect upon something means to think deeply or carefully about it.
Muazma Batool
Sep 09, 2023
Deflect can also suggest a deviation from a straight path or from an intended target. In sports, a soccer ball might deflect off a player, changing its trajectory. Reflect does not involve a deviation but rather a direct return. When light hits a smooth water surface, it reflects off it, creating a mirrored image.
Muazma Batool
Sep 09, 2023
It's essential to understand the distinct roles that deflect and reflect play in describing interactions. While both deal with changes in direction, deflect emphasizes a turning aside, often with a sense of protection or deviation. Reflect, in contrast, emphasizes a bouncing back, mirroring, or careful consideration, showcasing how something interacts with external forces or thoughts.
Muazma Batool
Sep 09, 2023
Deflect vs. Reflect Comparison Chart
Basic Meaning
To turn aside or deviate from a path.
To send back without absorbing.
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Sep 09, 2023
Interaction Type
Causes a change in direction.
Sends back in a similar direction.
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Sep 09, 2023
Emotional Connotation
Often implies avoidance or protection.
Neutral or thoughtful consideration.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 09, 2023
Examples
Shields deflecting arrows, avoiding questions.
Mirrors reflecting images, pondering on ideas.
Leo
Sep 09, 2023
Deflect vs. Reflect Definitions
◉Deflect
Deflect means to cause something to swerve from its intended path.
The goalkeeper managed to deflect the ball away from the goal.
Henry
Sep 09, 2023
◉Reflect
Reflect means to send back light, sound, or heat without absorbing it.
The calm lake perfectly reflects the mountains.
Olivia
Sep 09, 2023
◉Deflect
Deflect indicates a deviation from an intended target or direction.
The thick glass could deflect the most direct hits.
Muazma Batool
Sep 09, 2023
◉Reflect
Reflect is to give a mirrored image.
The mirror reflects her smile every morning.
Elijah
Sep 09, 2023
◉Deflect
Deflect is to turn aside from a straight course.
The car's bumper helped deflect the impact.
Leo
Sep 09, 2023
◉Reflect
Reflect can mean to think deeply or carefully about something.
He took a moment to reflect on his decision.
Leo
Sep 09, 2023
◉Deflect
Deflect can mean to avoid a topic or question in conversation.
He tried to deflect the interviewer's personal questions.
Muazma Batool
Sep 09, 2023
◉Reflect
Reflect indicates the representation of a characteristic or quality.
The score reflects the team's hard work.
William
Sep 09, 2023
◉Deflect
Deflect is to divert attention or focus from something.
She used humor to deflect from the serious issue at hand.
Olivia
Sep 09, 2023
◉Reflect
To throw or bend back (light or sound, for example) from a surface.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Reflect
To make apparent; express or manifest
Her work reflects intelligence.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Deflect
To touch the ball, often unwittingly, after a shot or a sharp pass, thereby making it unpredictable for the other players.
The defender deflected the cross into his own net.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Reflect
To bring as a consequence
The victory reflects credit on the coach.
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May 03, 2023
◉Deflect
To avoid addressing (questions, criticism, etc.).
The Prime Minister deflected some increasingly pointed questions by claiming he had an appointment.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Reflect
To be bent or thrown back
Her voice reflected off the canyon walls.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Reflect
To give something back, as light or sound
a shiny surface that reflects well.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Deflect
To cause to turn aside; to bend; as, rays of light are often deflected; to deflect a punch; to deflect criticism by acknowledging a mistake.
Sitting with their knees deflected under them.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Reflect
To give evidence of the characteristics or qualities of someone or something
That student's performance reflects well on the whole school.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Deflect
To turn aside; to deviate from a right or a horizontal line, or from a proper position, course or direction; to swerve.
At some part of the Azores, the needle deflecteth not, but lieth in the true meridian.
To deflect from the line of truth and reason.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Reflect
To bring blame or discredit
Hasty preparation of the report will reflect on you.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Deflect
prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening;
Let's avoid a confrontation
head off a confrontation
avert a strike
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Deflect
turn from a straight course , fixed direction, or line of interest
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Reflect
To express carefully considered thoughts
In the essay, he reflects on his career.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Reflect
(transitive) To bend back (light, etc.) from a surface.
A mirror reflects the light that shines on it.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Deflect
draw someone's attention away from something;
The thief distracted the bystanders
He deflected his competitors
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May 03, 2023
◉Reflect
(intransitive) To be bent back (light, etc.) from a surface.
The moonlight reflected from the surface of water.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Reflect
(transitive) To mirror, or show the image of something.
The shop window reflected his image as he walked past.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Reflect
(intransitive) To be mirrored.
His image reflected from the shop window as he walked past.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Reflect
(transitive) To agree with; to closely follow.
Entries in English dictionaries aim to reflect common usage.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Reflect
(transitive) To give evidence of someone's or something's character etc.
The team's victory reflects the Captain's abilities.
The teacher's ability reflects well on the school.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Reflect
(intransitive) To think seriously; to ponder or consider.
People do that sort of thing every day, without ever stopping to reflect on the consequences.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Reflect
To bend back; to give a backwa d turn to; to throw back; especially, to cause to return after striking upon any surface; as, a mirror reflects rays of light; polished metals reflect heat.
Let me mind the reader to reflect his eye on our quotations.
Bodies close together reflect their own color.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Reflect
To give back an image or likeness of; to mirror.
Nature is the glass reflecting God,As by the sea reflected is the sun.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Reflect
To be sent back; to rebound as from a surface; to revert; to return.
Whose virtues will, I hope,Reflect on Rome, as Titan's rays on earth.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Reflect
To throw or turn back the thoughts upon anything; to contemplate. Specifically: To attend earnestly to what passes within the mind; to attend to the facts or phenomena of consciousness; to use attention or earnest thought; to meditate; especially, to think in relation to moral truth or rules.
We can not be said to reflect upon any external object, except so far as that object has been previously perceived, and its image become part and parcel of our intellectual furniture.
All men are concious of the operations of their own minds, at all times, while they are awake, but there few who reflect upon them, or make them objects of thought.
As I much reflected, much I mourned.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Reflect
To cast reproach; to cause censure or dishonor.
Errors of wives reflect on husbands still.
Neither do I reflect in the least upon the memory of his late majesty.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Reflect
to throw or bend back or reflect (from a surface);
A mirror in the sun can reflect light into a person's eyes
Sound is reflected well in this auditorium
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Reflect
reflect deeply on a subject;
I mulled over the events of the afternoon
philosophers have speculated on the question of God for thousands of years
The scientist must stop to observe and start to excogitate
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Reflect
be bright by reflecting or casting light;
Drive carefully--the wet road reflects
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Reflect
give evidence of a certain behavior;
His lack of interest in the project reflects badly on him
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Reflect
give evidence of the quality of;
The mess in his dorm room reflects on the student
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Reflect
Reflect is to express or show a particular mood or feeling.
The somber music reflects the movie's mood.
Kaitlyn
Sep 09, 2023
Deflect vs. Reflect Frequently Asked Questions
Can deflect imply avoidance?
Yes, it can suggest avoiding a topic or protecting from an impact.
Olivia
Sep 09, 2023
What is reflect?
It's sending something back without absorbing it, often creating a mirrored image.
Muazma Batool
Sep 09, 2023
Can reflect be used in a non-physical sense?
Yes, it can mean to think deeply or consider something.
Lucas
Sep 09, 2023
What objects commonly deflect forces?
Shields, bumpers, and armor are examples.
Muazma Batool
Sep 09, 2023
In a metaphorical sense, what does it mean to reflect on an idea?
It means to think deeply or ponder about the idea.
Lucas
Sep 09, 2023
Can someone deflect responsibility?
Yes, it means they're shifting or avoiding taking responsibility.
Muazma Batool
Sep 09, 2023
What is deflect?
It's causing something to change direction or deviate from its path.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 09, 2023
How do deflect and reflect differ in terms of direction?
Deflect causes a deviation or turn, while reflect sends back in a similar direction.
Muazma Batool
Sep 09, 2023
And what objects typically reflect?
Mirrors, calm water surfaces, and polished metals.
Lucas
Sep 09, 2023
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Written by
Muneeza RehmanAt Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
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Muazma BatoolAs a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.