parry in WordNet English dictionary

1. impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball)
   "block an attack"
   parry  block  deflect 
   
2. avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
   "He dodged the issue"; "she skirted the problem"; "They tend to evade their responsibilities"; "he evaded the questions skillfully"
   hedge  fudge  evade  put off  circumvent  parry  elude  skirt  dodge  duck  sidestep 
   

1. a return punch (especially by a boxer)
   counterpunch  parry  counter 
   
2. (fencing) blocking a lunge or deflecting it with a circular motion of the sword
   parry