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The word brandish is often paired with a word for a weapon, such as knife or handgun. The link between brandish and weaponry is present in the word’s etymology: brandish comes ultimately from a Germanic word meaning “sword.” Since the word’s 14th century introduction to the English language (by way of Anglo-French) weapons have commonly been the things brandished, but also extensive is the use of brandish with things that are wielded to defeat in other ways, such as banners and placards used in the war of ideas. One can even brandish something that isn’t physical, such as a law or one’s intellect. In that case, you are figuratively waving the thing in someone’s face so that it cannot be ignored.
Examples of brandish in a Sentence
Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Dec. 2025
Two people were arrested after police say a man brandished a rifle at a maintenance worker in Downtown Pittsburgh.
—Mike Darnay, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025
Morales-Ortez had a long list of felony arrests in the county, but was released from jail on Tuesday after Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office dropped the charges for brandishing a firearm and assaulting and injuring someone.
—Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 18 Dec. 2025
After all, Mamdani won by rejecting inertia and brandishing a vigorous optimism.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brandish
Cite this Entry
“Brandish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brandish. Accessed 24 Dec. 2025.
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