brandish

[ bran-dish ]

/ ˈbræn dɪʃ /

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See synonyms for: brandish / brandishing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to shake or wave, as a weapon; flourish: Brandishing his sword, he rode into battle.

noun

a flourish or waving, as of a weapon.

OTHER WORDS FOR brandish

1 swing, flaunt, wield, display.

See synonyms for brandish on Thesaurus.com

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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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, -ish²

OTHER WORDS FROM brandish

bran·dish·er, noun

Words nearby brandish

Brandes, brand extension, brandied, brand image, branding iron, brandish, brand leader, brandling, brand name, brand Nazi, brand-new

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use brandish in a sentence

Those who do nothing to end the slaughter are as complicit as those who brandish their weapons.
The Coalition of the Unwilling|Christopher Dickey|September 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It does not give you license to brandish a gun and wave it around.
American Gun Law 5|David Frum|December 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Both Cameron and Sarkozy will now brandish their cojones, claiming to have had “a good war.”
Libya War’s Unsung Heroes|Clive Irving|August 22, 2011|DAILY BEAST
As with his Harvard degree, Obama did not hesitate to brandish his pretty white wife with the Boston accent.
The Tragic Life of Barack Obama’s Father|Sally H. Jacobs|July 10, 2011|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.
My Religion|Leo Tolstoy
Suddenly he was startled by seeing his mother snatch a stump of a fire-shovel from the hearth and brandish it over his head.
All He Knew|John Habberton
Who are we, the Wolves, to brandish empty firearms, to shrink from letting a little blood!
Mr. Grex of Monte Carlo|E. Phillips Oppenheim
They brandish their torches and swiftly spin on one leg, and snap their fingers to chase away the aggressive spirits.
From the Caves and Jungles of Hindostan|Helena Pretrovna Blavatsky
Thou didst also worship the bountiful immortals, and wast the first to brandish the veresma and to sing the Gathas.
The Worlds Greatest Books, Volume XIII.|Various

British Dictionary definitions for brandish

brandish

/ (ˈbrændɪʃ) /

verb (tr)

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

noun

a threatening or defiant flourish

Derived forms of brandish

brandisher, noun

Word Origin for brandish

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

brandish

OTHER WORDS FOR brandish

Origin of brandish

OTHER WORDS FROM brandish

Words nearby brandish

Words related to brandish

How to use brandish in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for brandish

Derived forms of brandish

Word Origin for brandish