brandish

American  

[bran-dish] / ˈbræn dɪʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. to shake or wave, as a weapon; flourish.

   Brandishing his sword, he rode into battle.

   Synonyms:

   display , wield , flaunt , swing

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noun

1. a flourish or waving, as of a weapon.

brandish British  

/ ˈbrændɪʃ /

verb

1. to wave or flourish (a weapon) in a triumphant, threatening, or ostentatious way

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noun

1. a threatening or defiant flourish

Other Word Forms

• brandisher noun

Etymology

Origin of brandish

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English bra(u)ndisshen, from Anglo-French, Middle French brandiss- (long stem of brandir, derivative of brand “sword,” from Germanic ); brand, -ish ²

Example Sentences

As soon as Taylor brandished a yellow, the VAR immediately sent him to the screen because the check had taken place during treatment.

From BBC

From Nepal to Peru, Morocco and Madagascar, brandishing the symbol of a skull and crossbones in a straw hat, Gen Z protests across the world stood up to authorities in 2025, even toppling two governments.

From Barron's

The cleric’s diplomats would voyage forth, brandishing their leader’s skepticism as a means of extracting concessions from foreigners.

From The Wall Street Journal

They have argued that President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia deterred Western powers from directly intervening in Ukraine by brandishing nuclear weapons, a view that could encourage expansion of China’s own nuclear weapons program.

From New York Times

Last weekend, he again brandished his nuclear arsenal saying he would soon position tactical nuclear weapons in neighboring Belarus.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• flash
• trot out
• wield