brandish

1 of 2

verb

bran·dish ˈbran-dish How to pronounce brandish (audio)

brandished; brandishing; brandishes

transitive verb

: to shake or wave (something, such as a weapon) menacingly

brandished a knife at them

: to exhibit in an ostentatious or aggressive manner

brandishing her intellect

brandish

2 of 2

noun

: an act or instance of waving something menacingly or exhibiting something ostentatiously or aggressively : an act or instance of brandishing

Did you know?

Often when we encounter the word brandish in print, it is followed by a word for a weapon, such as knife or handgun. That’s appropriate given the word’s etymology: it is a descendant of the Middle English braundisshen, which comes from the Anglo-French brant or braund, a word of Germanic origin meaning “sword.” Nowadays you can brandish things other than weapons, however. The figurative usage of brandish rose alongside its earliest literal usage in the 14th century. When you brandish something that isn’t a weapon (such as a sign or a letter), you are in effect waving it in someone’s face so that it cannot be overlooked.

Example Sentences

Verb She brandished a stick at the dog. I could see that he was brandishing a knife.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Teens and tweens feverishly brandish their orb-like glow sticks as their parents respectfully applaud.

Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 8 Sep. 2022 The district attorney’s office declined to file felony charges against Lee in the attack on Chappelle because the performer was not injured and Lee did not brandish the weapon, prosecutors said.

James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2022 Travis Barker similarly went sans shirt beneath his sleeveless black blazer—the better to brandish his generous tattoos.

Jacob Gallagher, WSJ, 4 Apr. 2022 The White House is enlisting popular dating apps to encourage Americans to brandish their vaccination status in exchange for a better shot at love.

Bloomberg.com, 20 May 2021 In New York, hundreds gathered in Times Square to brandish the Ukrainian flag, while protesters in D.C. mobilized in front of the Russian Embassy.

Washington Post, 24 Feb. 2022 In other words, the Kremlin leader got to brandish his nukes.

Nathan Hodge, CNN, 19 Feb. 2022 The majority of officers never brandish their guns and even fewer fire them in the line of duty, according to Gold.

Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 17 Feb. 2022 For the first five episodes, Thomas has been depicted as a quiet man who knows just the right time to share a pearl of wisdom — or brandish his gun.

Lynette Rice, EW.com, 30 Jan. 2022 See More

单词	brandishes
释义	brandish 1 of 2 verb bran·dish ˈbran-dish brandished; brandishing; brandishes transitive verb 1 : to shake or wave (something, such as a weapon) menacingly brandished a knife at them 2 : to exhibit in an ostentatious or aggressive manner brandishing her intellect brandish 2 of 2 noun : an act or instance of waving something menacingly or exhibiting something ostentatiously or aggressively : an act or instance of brandishing Did you know? Often when we encounter the word brandish in print, it is followed by a word for a weapon, such as knife or handgun. That’s appropriate given the word’s etymology: it is a descendant of the Middle English braundisshen, which comes from the Anglo-French brant or braund, a word of Germanic origin meaning “sword.” Nowadays you can brandish things other than weapons, however. The figurative usage of brandish rose alongside its earliest literal usage in the 14th century. When you brandish something that isn’t a weapon (such as a sign or a letter), you are in effect waving it in someone’s face so that it cannot be overlooked. Example Sentences Verb She brandished a stick at the dog. I could see that he was brandishing a knife. Recent Examples on the Web Verb Teens and tweens feverishly brandish their orb-like glow sticks as their parents respectfully applaud. Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 8 Sep. 2022 The district attorney’s office declined to file felony charges against Lee in the attack on Chappelle because the performer was not injured and Lee did not brandish the weapon, prosecutors said. James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2022 Travis Barker similarly went sans shirt beneath his sleeveless black blazer—the better to brandish his generous tattoos. Jacob Gallagher, WSJ, 4 Apr. 2022 The White House is enlisting popular dating apps to encourage Americans to brandish their vaccination status in exchange for a better shot at love. Bloomberg.com, 20 May 2021 In New York, hundreds gathered in Times Square to brandish the Ukrainian flag, while protesters in D.C. mobilized in front of the Russian Embassy. Washington Post, 24 Feb. 2022 In other words, the Kremlin leader got to brandish his nukes. Nathan Hodge, CNN, 19 Feb. 2022 The majority of officers never brandish their guns and even fewer fire them in the line of duty, according to Gold. Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 17 Feb. 2022 For the first five episodes, Thomas has been depicted as a quiet man who knows just the right time to share a pearl of wisdom — or brandish his gun. Lynette Rice, EW.com, 30 Jan. 2022 See More Word History Etymology Verb and Noun Middle English braundisshen, from Anglo-French brandiss-, stem of brandir, from brant, braund sword, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English brand First Known Use Verb 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Noun 1601, in the meaning defined above Kids Definition brandish verb bran·dish ˈbran-dish brandished; brandishing : to wave or shake in a threatening manner brandishes verb present tense third-person singular of brandish as in waves to put into view in a threatening or excited manner She brandished a stick at the dog. brandished a petition signed by hundreds of town residents Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance waves announces advertises produces proclaims flaunts unveils exposes exhibits displays flourishes posts airs flashes publicizes heralds struts sports parades reveals trumpets shows placards divulges broadcasts discovers bares shows off blazes uncovers sounds unmasks disports lays out uncloaks talks (about) tells (of) Antonyms & Near Antonyms masks disguises conceals camouflages obscures hides covers occludes curtains shrouds veils enshrouds occults See More
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brandish

verb

noun

Did you know?

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

verb

verb