brandish [bran-dish] SynonymsExamplesWord Origin 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.
Origin of brandish 1275–1325; Middle English bra(u)ndisshen Anglo-French, Middle French brandiss- (long stem of brandir, derivative of brand sword brand, -ish2 Related formsbran·dish·er, nounSynonyms for brandish 1. swing, flaunt, wield, display. Related Words for brandished flash, wield, exhibit, disport, raise, show, expose, shake, warn, swing, threaten, sport, display, gesture, parade Examples from the Web for brandished Contemporary Examples of brandished
The $50,000 reward means a weapon was brandished to either the customers or the employees.
Post Office Robbers More Wanted Than ISIS
M.L. Nestel
December 13, 2014
Another time Todd came by, he says White refused to open the door, brandished a knife, and told Todd to leave.
Gallery Owner Accused of Cyberstalking Members of L.A.’s Art Scene
Caitlin Dickson
February 13, 2014
Even if brandished as a symbol of freedom and expression, they were designed as weapons, and they kill people every day.
The Scare Campaign of Open Carry Activists
Brandy Zadrozny
November 18, 2013
Alarmed, Kegui brandished a knife and, official accounts say, slashed at the intruders, inflicting injuries, then fled.
Chen Guangcheng Fears Authorities Will Persecute Relatives He Leaves Behind
Melinda Liu
May 8, 2012
The clip played with the belabored simplicity of a silent movie—one lug and two thugs, brandished gun and chain-snatch.
Edward Conlon
April 14, 2011
Historical Examples of brandished
Thereupon Panaumbe brandished his bludgeon, struck all the foxes, and killed them.
Basil Hall Chamberlain
He brandished his palette and brushes aloft, in his clenched fists.
Emile Zola
She brandished the saucepan as though she was about to throw the lye-water in her sister-in-law’s face.
Emile Zola
He felt the blood rush to face, and his fists, as he brandished them in the air, trembled.
Joseph C. Lincoln
He drew his bowie-knife and brandished it as high as his arm could reach.
Frederick R. Bechdolt
British Dictionary definitions for brandished brandish verb (tr)
- to wave or flourish (a weapon) in a triumphant, threatening, or ostentatious way
noun
- a threatening or defiant flourish
Derived Formsbrandisher, nounWord Origin for brandish C14: from Old French brandir, from brand sword, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German brant weapon Word Origin and History for brandished brandish v.
mid-14c., from Old French brandiss-, present participle stem of brandir “to flourish (a sword)” (12c.), from brant “blade of a sword, prow of a ship,” of Frankish origin (see brand (n.)). Related: Brandished; brandishing.