If you deflect something that is moving, you make it go in a slightly different direction, for example by hitting or blocking it. My forearm deflected most of the first punch
If you deflect something such as criticism or attention, you act in a way that prevents it from being directed towards you or affecting you. Cage changed his name to deflect accusations of nepotism It's a maneuver to deflect the attention of the people from what is really happening
To deflect someone from a course of action means to make them decide not to continue with it by putting pressure on them or by offering them something desirable. The war did not deflect him from the path he had long ago taken Never let a little problem deflect you