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

Derived Forms

• ˈbrandisher, noun

Other Words From

• brandish·er 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

Those who do nothing to end the slaughter are as complicit as those who brandish their weapons.

From The Daily Beast

It does not give you license to brandish a gun and wave it around.

From The Daily Beast

Both Cameron and Sarkozy will now brandish their cojones, claiming to have had “a good war.”

From The Daily Beast

As with his Harvard degree, Obama did not hesitate to brandish his pretty white wife with the Boston accent.

From The Daily Beast

An ambitious stripling has only to brandish his sword and shout a few magniloquent words to induce them to rush to certain death.

From Project Gutenberg

Suddenly he was startled by seeing his mother snatch a stump of a fire-shovel from the hearth and brandish it over his head.

From Project Gutenberg

Who are we, the Wolves, to brandish empty firearms, to shrink from letting a little blood!

From Project Gutenberg

They brandish their torches and swiftly spin on one leg, and snap their fingers to chase away the aggressive spirits.

From Project Gutenberg

Thou didst also worship the bountiful immortals, and wast the first to brandish the veresma and to sing the Gathas.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• flash
• trot out
• wield