Definitions
- Referring to changing the direction of something that is moving, such as a ball or a bullet. - Talking about avoiding answering a question or changing the topic of conversation. - Describing the act of preventing something from happening or reaching its intended target.
- Referring to changing the course of a river or stream. - Talking about redirecting resources or attention to a different purpose or goal. - Describing the act of entertaining or amusing someone to distract them from something unpleasant.
List of Similarities
- 1Both involve changing the direction or course of something.
- 2Both can be used in a figurative sense to refer to changing the focus or attention of something.
- 3Both can be used to prevent something from happening or reaching its intended target.
What is the difference?
- 1Object: Deflect is used with an object that is moving, while divert can be used with resources, attention, or people.
- 2Purpose: Deflect is used to avoid or prevent something, while divert is used to redirect or entertain.
- 3Connotation: Deflect has a more serious and defensive connotation, while divert has a more positive and proactive connotation.
- 4Direction: Deflect implies a change in direction, while divert implies a change in destination or purpose.
- 5Usage: Deflect is more commonly used in technical or scientific contexts, while divert is more commonly used in everyday language.
Remember this!
Deflect and divert are synonyms that both refer to changing the direction or course of something. However, deflect is used to avoid or prevent something from happening or reaching its intended target, while divert is used to redirect resources or attention to a different purpose or to entertain someone. Additionally, deflect is more commonly used in technical or scientific contexts, while divert is more commonly used in everyday language.
