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?

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.

Choose the Right Synonym for brandish

swing, wave, flourish, brandish, thrash mean to wield or cause to move to and fro or up and down.

swing implies regular or uniform movement.

swing the rope back and forth

wave usually implies smooth or continuous motion.

waving the flag

flourish suggests vigorous, ostentatious, graceful movement.

flourished the winning lottery ticket

brandish implies threatening or menacing motion.

brandishing a knife

thrash suggests vigorous, abrupt, violent movement.

an infant thrashing his arms about

Examples of brandish in a Sentence

Verb

She brandished a stick at the dog.

I could see that he was brandishing a knife.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Many of the thousands of demonstrators taking to the streets brandished weapons including guns and daggers, while others waved Lebanese, Palestinian, Iranian and Hezbollah flags. —Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026

Upon arrival, officers determined that one of the suspects brandished an AK-47 style rifle, while the second suspect brandished a handgun. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026

Pooh proceeded to brandish a pistol and demanded that Gucci release him from his contract. —Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2026

One such affair claimed an extra life when the executioner’s son ascended the scaffold to brandish a head, lost his footing, and fell to his death. —Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026

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

Rhymes for brandish

• outlandish

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Kids Definition

brandish

verb

bran·​dish

ˈbran-dish

1

: to shake or wave in a threatening manner

brandish a stick at a dog

2

: to exhibit in a showy or aggressive manner