Deflection is a term that refers to the act of bending or turning away from a particular course or direction. It can be used to describe a wide range of physical and metaphorical scenarios, from the way light is refracted as it passes through a lens to the way a person might react to criticism or discomfort. Synonyms for deflection might include words like deviation, diversion, veering, or swerving, which all suggest a sense of changing direction or course. Other possible options could include words like redirection, repositioning, or altering, which might emphasize the act of moving or changing something in a deliberate or intentional way.