parry

parry — verb

1. to stop a hit, kick, or weapon from reaching you by quickly turning it aside, of

1.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to stop a hit, kick, or weapon from reaching you by quickly turning it aside, often using your arm or a held object as a shield.

Example

Marcus parried the wooden sword with his shield just before it hit his shoulder.

parry + noun + with + noun (instrument)

The fencer parried every thrust during the match in Taipei.

parry + thrust (typical fencing object)

Common collocations
  • parry a blow
  • parry a thrust
  • parry a punch
  • parry with a shield
  • skilfully parry
Synonyms
  • deflect

    more general; works for both physical blows and verbal attacks

  • block

    more common, less technical; suggests stopping rather than turning aside

  • ward off

    phrasal alternative; used widely for danger and illness too

  • fend off

    implies sustained defence against repeated attacks

Antonyms
  • strike

    the offensive opposite — to land a hit rather than turn one aside

  • thrust

    the forward attack a fencer parries

Grammar Patterns

parry + noun (blow / sword / punch)

parry + noun + with + noun

Usage Note

Object is usually a weapon, blow, or fast-moving object (sword, punch, ball). Often paired with 'with' + the tool used to deflect (shield, racket, forearm). Distinguish from sense 2, which has an abstract object such as a question.

Common Mistakes

I parried the cold air from the window.
I blocked the cold air from the window.
'parry' needs a deliberate strike or projectile, not a passive force.
The boxer parried his opponent.
The boxer parried his opponent's punch.
you parry the blow, not the person.

2. to skilfully avoid answering an awkward question or responding to criticism, oft

2.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to skilfully avoid answering an awkward question or responding to criticism, often by replying with a joke, a counter-question, or a vague comment.

Example

The minister parried questions about her salary with a polite smile.

parry + question + with + noun

Carlos parried every accusation by pointing out his rival's own mistakes.

parry + accusation (typical abstract object)

Common collocations
  • parry a question
  • parry criticism
  • parry an accusation
  • neatly parry
  • deftly parry
Synonyms
  • deflect

    near synonym; slightly more neutral and less stylish

  • evade

    stronger sense of dishonesty; 'parry' suggests skill rather than guilt

  • sidestep

    informal; emphasises avoiding rather than answering cleverly

  • dodge

    informal; can sound more critical of the speaker

Antonyms
  • address

    to respond to a question or issue directly rather than turn it aside

  • confront

    to face the criticism head on instead of deflecting it

Grammar Patterns

parry + noun (question / criticism / accusation)

parry + noun + with + noun

Usage Note

Object is abstract — typically 'question', 'criticism', 'accusation', or 'comment'. Often modified by adverbs like 'neatly', 'skilfully', or 'deftly' to highlight cleverness. Distinguish from sense 1, where the object is a physical strike.

Common Mistakes

She parried the homework so she could go out.
She avoided the homework so she could go out.
'parry' is for verbal challenges, not duties or chores.
He parried his answer.
He parried the question.
you parry the attack (the question), not your own reply.

parry — noun

Word family

  • parried
    verbC1
  • parrying
    verbC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All five words describe stopping an incoming attack, but they differ in technique and tone. 'Block' is the most everyday choice and simply means to stop something with your body or an object — a goalkeeper blocks a shot. 'Parry' is more skilful and technical: you don't just stop the blow, you turn it aside, usually in fencing, boxing, or martial arts. 'Deflect' overlaps closely with 'parry' but applies more broadly, including to bullets, light, and even verbal attacks. 'Ward off' has a slightly older, literary feel and is often used for ongoing dangers like illness or evil. 'Fend off' suggests holding back repeated, persistent attacks. Compare: 'She blocked the punch with her glove' (simple stop), 'She parried the punch and stepped to the side' (skilful turn-aside), 'He fended off the dogs with a stick' (sustained defence).

parry ↗deflect ↗block ↗ward off ↗fend off ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • parry and thrust
  • parry a question
  • a witty parry

Prepositions

  • with (a shield / sword / joke)

Etymology

LatinItalianFrenchEnglish

First recorded in English in the mid-1600s as a fencing term, 'parry' comes from the French 'parez', the command meaning 'guard yourself!', which is the imperative of 'parer' (to ward off, prepare). The French word in turn goes back to the Latin 'parare', meaning to prepare or get ready. The figurative sense — turning aside a question or piece of criticism rather than a sword — appeared by the early 1700s as fencing imagery spread into everyday speech.