parries
Wards off blows
Parries is the plural of parry—a defensive movement that deflects an attack.
In fencing, a parry blocks an opponent's blade; in boxing, it redirects a punch.
The word extends to verbal deflection: She parries every question about her personal life with a joke.
As a verb form, parries is third-person singular present: He parries criticism effortlessly.
Swift clever reply
- lungeSudden forward movement
- thrustForceful forward motion
- feintDeceptive mock attack
- disengageBreak free from attachment
foil · epee · sabre · engagement · bout · touche · fleche · octave
Abrupt, curt rejection
- retortQuick, cutting reply
- counterFlat service surface
- deflectTurn from course
- dismissSend away or reject
evade · dodge · sidestep · riposte · wit · rejoinder · comeback · repartee
Solid mass, or impede
- deflectTurn from course
- wardProtected person; division
- interceptSeize en route
- brush-offAbrupt, dismissive rejection
rebuff · fend · repel · counter · neutralize · nullify · glancing · redirect
Response to stimulus
- quicknessState of being fast
- instinctInnate behavioral tendency
- timingArt of choosing moments
- anticipationState of awaiting something
agility · dexterity · coordination · alertness · readiness · precision · nimbleness · split-second
riposte
Swift clever reply
disengage · foil · epee · sabre · engagement · bout · touche · fleche · octave · reprise
rebuff
Abrupt, curt rejection
dismiss · evade · dodge · sidestep · riposte · wit · rejoinder · comeback · repartee · quip
block
Solid mass, or impede
brush-off · rebuff · fend · repel · counter · neutralize · nullify · glancing · redirect · divert
reaction
Response to stimulus
anticipation · agility · dexterity · coordination · alertness · readiness · precision · nimbleness · split-second
dodge
Avoid by quick movement
duck · slip · weave · elude · circumvent · skirt · misdirect · feinting · juking · maneuvering
- repelsrepels, wards off, keeps away, fends off, drives away
- Tai Chitaijiquan, qigong, ward off, forms, stances