What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
parry
Example
The fencer parried her opponent's thrust with ease. [parried: past tense]
Example
He parried the reporter's question by changing the subject. [parried: verb]
dodge
Example
She dodged the punch and countered with a kick. [dodged: past tense]
Example
He tried to dodge the blame for the project's failure. [dodge: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dodge is more commonly used than parry in everyday language. Dodge is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while parry is less common and is mostly used in the context of fencing or sword fighting.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between parry and dodge?
While parry is typically associated with a formal and technical tone, dodge is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.