Definitions
- Referring to diverting someone's attention from something they are doing or thinking. - Talking about taking someone's mind off a problem or situation. - Describing an action that prevents someone from focusing on a particular task or objective.
- Referring to redirecting something away from its original path or direction. - Talking about avoiding a question or topic by changing the subject. - Describing an action that prevents criticism or blame from being directed towards oneself.
List of Similarities
- 1Both involve changing the direction of something.
- 2Both can be used to avoid a particular situation or topic.
- 3Both can be used in a figurative sense.
What is the difference?
- 1Direction: Distract involves changing the focus of someone's attention, while deflect involves changing the direction of something physical or metaphorical.
- 2Purpose: Distract is used to take someone's mind off something, while deflect is used to avoid criticism or blame.
- 3Action: Distract involves actively engaging someone's attention, while deflect involves avoiding or redirecting attention.
- 4Object: Distract is used with people, while deflect can be used with both people and objects.
- 5Connotation: Distract can have a positive connotation, while deflect can have a negative connotation.
Remember this!
Distract and deflect are both verbs that involve changing the direction of something. However, the difference between them is their purpose and the object they are used with. Distract is used to take someone's mind off something or prevent them from focusing on a particular task, while deflect is used to avoid criticism or blame. Distract involves actively engaging someone's attention, while deflect involves avoiding or redirecting attention.
