[Vocabulary] What is a word that means "to change or alter a trajectory (usually destiny)"?

[allan89]

What is a word that means "to change or alter a trajectory (usually destiny)"?

Hello!

Recently I stumbled on a word - a verb - in the Oxford Dictionary of English with the explanation roughly something along this line:

"To change or alter a trajectory (of something, especially fate or destiny)"

But I can't exactly recall how this verb was spelled, so I want to ask if anyone has any idea of which verb it might be that has this specified meaning? I think the verb began with the letter "P" or "R", though I'm not 100% that I remembered correctly in this regard. Thanks for your input!

 

[J&K Tutoring]

Re: What is a word that means "to change or alter a trajectory (usually destiny)"?

Since you're unsure of the original definition, maybe the word actually was 'alter'?

 

[MikeNewYork]

Re: What is a word that means "to change or alter a trajectory (usually destiny)"?

J&K, that word was in the title.

 

[tedmc]

Re: What is a word that means "to change or alter a trajectory (usually destiny)"?

Reshape, but it is not specific to fate or destiny. I wonder why the word trajectory (path) is used.

 

[J&K Tutoring]

Re: What is a word that means "to change or alter a trajectory (usually destiny)"?

From the OP: "roughly something along this line"

 

[MikeNewYork]

Re: What is a word that means "to change or alter a trajectory (usually destiny)"?

But he said he did not know the word. How likely is that after he used it in his title?

 

[J&K Tutoring]

Re: What is a word that means "to change or alter a trajectory (usually destiny)"?

As likely as any other. I think the OP has subconsciously remembered his word. As a learner with (I presume) a limited vocabulary, it would be easy for him to imagine there must be another word that he doesn't know. My thesaurus doesn't yield a better alternative, and I haven't noticed other responders coming up with much either, other than tedmc's reshape. which is a possibility, but not better than alter for this usage, in my opinion.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Re: What is a word that means "to change or alter a trajectory (usually destiny)"?

Sorry, but your explanation makes no sense to me.

OP: I'm looking for a word that means change or alter....
J&K: How about alter?

BTW, I have noticed that you edited your original response.

 

[J&K Tutoring]

Re: What is a word that means "to change or alter a trajectory (usually destiny)"?

Apology accepted.

So what's your answer to the OP's question?

 

[MikeNewYork]

Re: What is a word that means "to change or alter a trajectory (usually destiny)"?

No apology was offered. You are backtracking at an amazing rate.

I haven't spent much time on the OP's question. Obviously you didn't either. May I assume that your second choice would be "change"?

 

[J&K Tutoring]

Re: What is a word that means "to change or alter a trajectory (usually destiny)"?

I haven't spent much time on the OP's question. Take your time. I'll wait. I'll wait for post #20,781. How many of those actually offered an affirmative response to the original post?

I'm reminded why I don't come here often. Every few months I come looking for some information to help in my work. I get caught up in some interesting discussions, I begin to feel like maybe I've helped a couple of people, and then I find that I've stepped into someone else's sandbox and they don't like it. Pedantry goes only one way, I guess.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Re: What is a word that means "to change or alter a trajectory (usually destiny)"?

I am done with this. You may continue on with your fantasy if you wish to.

 

[Rover_KE]

Re: What is a word that means "to change or alter a trajectory (usually destiny)"?

If you're still reading this, allan, you could consider deflect.

It's not exactly what you are looking for, but does have a similar meaning.

 

[emsr2d2]

Re: What is a word that means "to change or alter a trajectory (usually destiny)"?

How about "reroute" or "redirect"? Those start with an "r" and mean to change course or trajectory.

 

[Eckaslike]

Re: What is a word that means "to change or alter a trajectory (usually destiny)"?

My problem was with the idea of changing fate or destiny. My understanding of both of those words is that man cannot control them, which is why they feature so strongly in myth, legend and religion.

In my experience people either believe in fate, or in free-will where your actions control the outcomes rather than life following some preordained plan.

Rover's suggestion is a good one, but I think you would have to use a phrase such as "to try to deflect fate or destiny", indicating the futility of that action, because you cannot change the unchangeable.

For the moment, this question has me completely stumped.


[Update: Ems has also made some good suggestions, however, while I was writing this I could only see Rover's post.]

 

[emsr2d2]

Re: What is a word that means "to change or alter a trajectory (usually destiny)"?

I liked the earlier "reshape". We use the phrase "to shape one's destiny" so I don't see why we shouldn't use "reshape" in the same way. However, if the OP thinks he/she found a word which can mean only ​"to change or alter a trajectory (usually destiny)", then I can't think of one.

 

[teechar]

Re: What is a word that means "to change or alter a trajectory (usually destiny)"?

Could it be "veer?" ;-)

 

[emsr2d2]

Re: What is a word that means "to change or alter a trajectory (usually destiny)"?

That's not a natural collocation with "destiny".

 

[Raymott]

Re: What is a word that means "to change or alter a trajectory (usually destiny)"?

Nor is it transitive.

 

[lotus888]

Re: What is a word that means "to change or alter a trajectory (usually destiny)"?

Hello!

Recently I stumbled on a word - a verb - in the Oxford Dictionary of English with the explanation roughly something along this line:

"To change or alter a trajectory (of something, especially fate or destiny)"

But I can't exactly recall how this verb was spelled, so I want to ask if anyone has any idea of which verb it might be that has this specified meaning? I think the verb began with the letter "P" or "R", though I'm not 100% that I remembered correctly in this regard. Thanks for your input!

I agree with "reroute". You can certainly reroute a trajectory. Your fate or destiny might be rerouted if something drastic happens to you.



--lotus