brandish
Americanverb (used with object)
-
brandishes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
brandished,
past participle, past
-
brandishing
present participle
noun
verb
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
brandishsimple
-
brandishessimple
-
have brandishedperfect
-
has brandishedperfect
-
am brandishingprogressive
-
are brandishingprogressive
-
is brandishingprogressive
-
have been brandishingperfect progressive
-
has been brandishingperfect progressive
Past
-
brandishedsimple
-
had brandishedperfect
-
was brandishingprogressive
-
were brandishingprogressive
-
had been brandishingperfect progressive
Future
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 ); see origin at brand, -ish 2
Explanation
To brandish something is to wave it about aggressively, as one might brandish a sword or tennis racket (if it's a particularly intense game). Brandish often implies that a person is wielding a physical weapon. In fact, brandish comes from the archaic French word brandir, meaning "sword." However, it’s also possible to brandish objects that aren’t weapons. If you win a bowling tournament, for example, you might be inclined to brandish your shiny new trophy in front of the other competitors. Be careful, though; they might mistake your trophy for a "brandir" and respond accordingly.
Vocabulary lists containing brandish
100 Words Every Middle Schooler Should Know
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Lord of the Flies
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Touching Spirit Bear
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
As someone who has hyper-specific playlists to regulate my moods, I appreciate that whether you want to party, chill outside or brandish your middle finger to the world, the Salon DJ Collective has you covered.
From Salon ● Jun. 6, 2026
He didn’t brandish it as a symbol or treat the moment like a breakthrough to be celebrated.
From Slate ● Jan. 3, 2026
He confirms that he’s been chipping away at a debut LP, which will brandish a more “fast and punchy” rock sound that recall his days playing basement shows.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2025
People on social media brandish gold-flecked pans and nuggets while showing off their equipment, ranging from old-fashioned picks to gold-separating sluice boxes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2025
Reputation is like a sort of armor, or a weapon you can brandish if need be.
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
Slim Pickens yee-hawed riding “Dr. Strangelove’s” atomic bomb to oblivion; Cruise brandishes his grandpappy’s original shovel that struck crude in 1917 and whoops, “Oil is the mother’s milk of Earth!”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 29, 2026
Georginio Rutter takes out Alex Matos in an aerial challenge and the referee brandishes his yellow card.
From BBC ● Mar. 1, 2024
She brandishes her shotgun like a Balkan Elmer Fudd.
From New York Times ● Mar. 10, 2022
Adia Barnes brandishes honesty like a feather, sharp enough at the tip to make a point, soft around the edges to soothe the ego.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 12, 2022
She brandishes a spruce branch to show me how she fends the bird off.
From "On the Far Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George
Banners reading "249 articles in 22 days" were brandished at a Monday vigil in central London attended by thousands of people, in which speaker after speaker attacked the media's role in the scandal.
From Barron's ● Aug. 19, 2026
They brandished the Mexican flag seemingly everywhere: on banners, painted on cheeks, emblazoned on Jaimes’ tube top.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 19, 2026
And unlike Michael Drejka, she brandished her gun without discharging it.
From Slate ● Jun. 4, 2026
They blew whistles, sounded vuvuzelas and brandished banners.
From BBC ● May 8, 2026
Sinjin brandished the marshmallow and everyone jumped back.
From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray
Sporting a baseball cap and brandishing his smartphone like a weapon, Mordechai David dedicates his time to filming people against their will.
From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026
A major difference from today: Rich kids of the era were more interested in garment quality than brandishing labels, said Marsh, the costume designer.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026
In a parallel move, Iranian President Masoud Pezehshkian followed suit, with Iranian news agencies showing him brandishing his copy of the deal.
From Barron's ● Jun. 19, 2026
He stood on the roof of the Cigars & Stripes BBQ Lounge, brandishing a chicken wing and a fridge-size bottle of barbecue sauce while chewing on a stogie.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 12, 2026
On March 28, thousands of Inkatha members, brandishing spears and knobkerries, marched through Johannesburg to a rally in the center of town.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
