to parry

Examples

• All

• The lawyer parried the prosecutor's accusations by shifting the focus to the evidence.

• And three times now Nathan had seen him parry Joshua's attempts to get the whole story out of him.

  Fiction book (1990)

• His questions are sharp and stinging; I parry them with simple truths.

  Blog text (5)

• The colonists first had to parry Hobbes's and Filmer's arguments for the king's authority.

  Academic text (2009)

• Annabelle answered and parried a number of questions, all of which revolved around Dalmar and her projected nuptials.

  Fiction book (1990)

• During the debate, he skillfully parried the tough questions from the audience with clever remarks.

• She always finds a way to parry personal questions that make her uncomfortable.

Synonyms

D

to deflect

vsto parry

76 4.6

To turn attention away from a person or thing

does the same but with clever verbal redirection rather than physical deflection

D

to duck

vsto parry

• Informal

64 6.8

To avoid doing something you are supposed to do

specifically shifts the exchange away from the question with a clever move

S

to stonewall

vsto parry

• Literature

42 7.8

Refuse to answer questions to delay or block progress

avoids answers too but by clever redirection instead of blunt refusal or delay

E

to evade

vsto parry

31 3.9

To avoid doing something you should do, for example a duty or a direct question

relies on a smart redirection to shift attention away from the issue

D

to dodge

vsto parry

25 5.3

To avoid answering a question or facing responsibility by giving unclear answers

uses a clever redirection to deflect the question instead of answering

S

to skirt

vsto parry

19 6.8

To avoid dealing with a question or problem

breaks contact by cleverly turning the topic away from the direct issue

H

to hedge

vsto parry

17 7.4

To avoid giving a direct answer or clear commitment

uses a purposeful redirection rather than mere vagueness to avoid the question

S

to sidestep

vsto parry

15 4.9

To avoid answering a question or dealing with a problem directly

instead redirects the discussion with a clever deflection to avoid answer

F

to fudge

vsto parry

5 7.7

To avoid giving a clear answer or decision

prefers an active redirection tactic that shifts attention away from the issue

F

to fudge the issue

vsto parry

• Informal

8.4

To avoid answering a question directly by being unclear

chooses a clever change of direction rather than simple vagueness to evade

Antonyms

A

to address

∞ 3.6

To deal with a subject in speech or writing

C

to confront

359 4.4

Face a difficult problem or fear directly and bravely

Compounds

P

Parry manzanita

• US

9.9

A small California bush with pink or white flowers, red berries, and reddish bark

How Evasive

to stonewall

• Literature

42 7.8

to prevaricate

• Formal

3 9.1

to evade

31 3.9

to parry

2 8.1

to sidestep

15 4.9

to deflect

76 4.6

Surface Forms

Etymology