an act or instance of parrying, as in fencing.
a defensive movement in fencing.
Milman, 1902–35, U.S. classical scholar and philologist.
William Edward, 1790–1855, English Arctic explorer.
to ward off (an attack) by blocking or deflecting, as in fencing
(tr) to evade (questions), esp adroitly
an act of parrying, esp (in fencing) using a stroke or circular motion of the blade
a skilful evasion, as of a question
Sir ( Charles ) Hubert ( Hastings ). 1848–1918, English composer, noted esp for his choral works
Sir William Edward. 1790–1855, English arctic explorer, who searched for the Northwest Passage (1819–25) and attempted to reach the North Pole (1827)
1665–75; < French parez, imperative of parer to ward off, set off < Latin parāre to set. See parade
Sword fighters thrust and parry. To thrust is to try to stab, and to parry is to avoid getting stabbed by blocking a thrust. Though it comes from fencing, parry is also handy in dodgeball and awkward conversations The word parry means to block or evade a movement, like in fencing, but it can also refer to an evasion that is verbal rather than physical. If someone asks you who you have a crush on, but you don’t want to answer, parry the question — change the subject or ask a question in return. When used in this way parry retains its sense of defending yourself through evasion.
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But double faults started to creep into her game and Parry reeled Raducanu back in before taking charge to wrap up the opener.
From BBC • May 19, 2026
She looked relaxed as Richardson dished out instructions and encouragement from the player's box, while she showed resilience in fending off 16 break points and making it difficult for Parry until the end.
From BBC • May 19, 2026
The Frenchwoman broke again to go 5-4 up, but Raducanu held firm to stop Parry from serving out the victory on two occasions and force a tie-break.
From BBC • May 19, 2026
The image remains inescapable for Parry as it reappears with every anniversary and retelling of the Aberfan disaster.
From BBC • May 10, 2026
And then she saw that Mrs. Parry, Will’s mother, had put makeup on one eye but not on the other.
From "The Subtle Knife" by Philip Pullman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
