parry

¹ American  

[par-ee] / ˈpær i /

verb (used with object)

parried, parrying

1. to ward off (a thrust, stroke, weapon, etc.), as in fencing; avert.

2. to turn aside; evade or dodge.

   to parry an embarrassing question.

   Synonyms:

   preclude, obviate, prevent, elude, avert

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verb (used without object)

parried, parrying

1. to parry a thrust, blow, etc.

noun

plural

parries

1. an act or instance of parrying, as in fencing.

2. a defensive movement in fencing.

Parry ² American  

[par-ee] / ˈpær i /

noun

1. Milman, 1902–35, U.S. classical scholar and philologist.

2. William Edward, 1790–1855, English Arctic explorer.

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parry ¹ British  

/ ˈpærɪ /

verb

1. to ward off (an attack) by blocking or deflecting, as in fencing

2. (tr) to evade (questions), esp adroitly

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noun

1. an act of parrying, esp (in fencing) using a stroke or circular motion of the blade

2. a skilful evasion, as of a question

Parry ² British  

/ ˈpærɪ /

noun

1. Sir ( Charles ) Hubert ( Hastings ). 1848–1918, English composer, noted esp for his choral works

2. Sir William Edward. 1790–1855, English arctic explorer, who searched for the Northwest Passage (1819–25) and attempted to reach the North Pole (1827)

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Other Word Forms

• parriable adjective
• parrier noun
• unparried adjective
• unparrying adjective

Etymology

Origin of parry

1665–75; < French parez, imperative of parer to ward off, set off < Latin parāre to set. See parade

Explanation

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.

Example Sentences

“I’m not sure the financial industry can continue to parry this away without giving something up,” he said.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 15, 2026

Moving to his left, Smith got both hands to the ball, only to parry in the direction of the slips, who could not grab the rebound.

From BBC • Dec. 5, 2025

Slot's struggling side hit back quickly as Dominik Szoboszlai slotted in after visiting goalkeeper Matej Kovar could only parry Cody Gakpo's shot.

From Barron's • Nov. 26, 2025

The precocious girls soon cotton on to the headmistress’s ruse and parry her appeals to dish on Miss Brodie.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 23, 2025

I parry then lunge, my arm stretching for a touch.

From "Black Brother, Black Brother" by Jewell Parker Rhodes