When asked about the sensitive issue, she skillfully parried the question.

parried 是动词 parry 的过去式。parry 原指击剑中"格挡、挡开"的动作，引申为"巧妙回避（问题或批评）"。这个词形象地描述了像击剑防守一样快速而巧妙地避开直接回答。