Whataboutery is a term commonly used to describe the art of deflecting criticism by shifting the conversation to a different, but related topic. However, there are several other synonyms that can be used to describe this behavior. One of the more commonly used phrases is "whataboutism," which conveys a similar idea of deflecting attention away from the subject at hand. Other possible synonyms include "red herring," "deflection," "distraction," and "dodge." All of these words convey the concept of avoiding a direct confrontation by shifting the focus of the conversation. Ultimately, regardless of what term is used, it is important to recognize this type of behavior in order to engage in productive and meaningful conversations.