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

It is claimed that the boy was "threatening and abusive" to Amen three days earlier, by brandishing a sword and metal barrier and shouting and swearing.

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A crowd of protesters brandishing Peruvian flags outside the Congress building erupted in cheers after the vote was declared.

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Still, I worried about the optics of swaggering around, brandishing a long plastic tube.

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Prosecutors have acknowledged she had a licensed firearm in her car but never brandished it.

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The image of one TikTok creator brandishing a copy of Timothy Snyder’s “On Tyranny” while sitting in front of a wall of Minnie Mouse might be one of this chapter’s most indelible.

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Related Words

• flash 
• trot out 
• wield