brandish

American  

[bran-dish] / ˈbræn dɪʃ /

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

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noun

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

brandish British  

/ ˈbrændɪʃ /

verb

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

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noun

1. a threatening or defiant flourish

Other Word Forms

• brandisher noun

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 ); brand, -ish ²

Example Sentences

It was there, decades before brandishing the Fraser broadsword, he made his first appearance in front of an audience - wielding a different weapon as "spear carrier number two" during a production of Macbeth aged 18.

From BBC

And so the players showed up brandishing hope for this summer while sweetly admitting the emotion that still lingers from last fall.

From Los Angeles Times

The accessory is brandished by some feminists as "a sign of the advancement of women's rights and then their visibility in the public space", said fashion historian Marine Chaleroux.

From Barron's

Germany’s Der Spiegel showed Europe’s leaders dressed in Nordic warrior garb and brandishing swords.

From The Wall Street Journal

They later stop by the local church and the disco with Joseph Cerda Bañales, a bearded makeup artist who brandishes long stiletto nails to the rodeos.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• flash
• trot out
• wield