parry

Imagine a fencer smoothly turning aside an opponent's thrust with a sword. That is the basic idea. But the word is not only about fencing. To parry means to block, deflect, or answer something in a quick and skillful way, whether it is a physical attack, a hard question, or criticism. A clever politician might parry accusations by changing the direction of the conversation, and a good negotiator might parry unfair demands with calm counter-offers. It is about protecting yourself by meeting a challenge instead of letting it land directly.

The word "parry" originally comes from fencing, the art of sword fighting. A parry is a defensive move in which you deflect your opponent's attack with your blade, stopping it from hitting you. Over time, its meaning broadened to include other kinds of skillful deflection or response.

To parry something is not just to block it; it also suggests a quick, clever response. If someone throws harsh criticism at you, you might parry it with humor. A lawyer might parry a line of attack from opposing counsel during a trial. A skilled debater can parry an argument by pointing out flaws in its logic.

The key idea is that a parry is not simple avoidance. It is an active response, a strategic move that turns aside something unwanted or harmful. The word suggests control, speed, and skill in the face of a challenge. You might even say someone "parried the blow" of bad news with calm strength.

So whether you are on the fencing strip or dealing with a difficult conversation, to parry is to deflect, answer, or fend off an attack, a remark, or a challenge with skill and control.