What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
deflect
Example
The goalie deflected the ball with his hands. [deflected: past tense]
Example
She tried to deflect the attention away from her mistake. [deflect: verb]
divert
Example
The city diverted the river to prevent flooding. [diverted: past tense]
Example
The company decided to divert funds from marketing to research and development. [divert: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Divert is more commonly used than deflect in everyday language, as it has a wider range of applications and a more positive connotation. Deflect is more commonly used in technical or scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between deflect and divert?
Both deflect and divert can be used in formal and informal contexts, but deflect may be perceived as more technical or specialized due to its usage in scientific or engineering fields.
