distract, dodge, divert, sidestep, dispel, shield, defuse, brushed, downplay, smother, lob, neutralize, parrying, prod, evade, misdirect, redirect, squelch, ricochet, insulate, tamp down, thwart, allay, shrug, fend, absolve, quell, countering, rebut, assuage, discredit, stymie, counteract, diffuse, stem, poke, provoke, quash, demonize, exonerate, negate, goalward, backhanded, dislodge, goad, stoke, steer, repel, palmed, mollify, belittle, stickhandle, elicit, swat, wrest, blunting, douse, curry favor, outstretched, cannoned, avoid, refute, embarrass, dissuade, nudge, ducking, debunk, lofted, escape, unsettle, deflate, deny, appease, outmanoeuvre, pass, hide, caromed, obfuscate, knuckling, disprove, siphon, underplay, undercut, elude, prevent, sully, denigrate, pivoted, intimidate, outflank, flicked, bounce, stifle, pierce, outmaneuver, avert, squirm, minimize, frighten, shies, scuttle, sensationalize, deflected, persistent, empt, incessant, invidious, mote, unmerited, unsparing, angriest, barbed, blistering, charmed, concentrated, counter, desultory, detailed, detect, directing, discerning

confuse, consternate, disconcert, fence, flurry, forbid, foreclose, forestall, preclude, prevent, put off, turn

avert, avoid, bend, block, debar, deviate, distract, draw away, fend off, head off, obviate, parry, stave off, turn away, ward off