brandish

[bran-dish]

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

noun

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

brandish

/ ˈbrændɪʃ /

verb

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

noun

1. a threatening or defiant flourish

Other Word Forms

• brandisher noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of brandish¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of brandish¹

C14: from Old French brandir , from brand sword, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German brant weapon

Example Sentences

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.

Read more on Barron's

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

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The non-fisherwoman is also brandishing a crooked staff, curved at the top like a wooden candy cane.

Read more on Literature

But the door was flung open, and Edward Ashton burst into the bedchamber brandishing a knife.

Read more on Literature

The admiral rose to his feet and brandished his cane.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

• flash 
• trot out 
• wield