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View synonyms for brandish

brandish

[ bran-dish ]

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



noun

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

brandish

/ ˈbrændɪʃ /

verb

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


noun

  1. a threatening or defiant flourish

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Derived Forms

  • ˈbrandisher, noun

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Other Words From

  • brandish·er noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of brandish1

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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of brandish1

C14: from Old French brandir , from brand sword, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German brant weapon

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Example Sentences

Those who do nothing to end the slaughter are as complicit as those who brandish their weapons.

It does not give you license to brandish a gun and wave it around.

Both Cameron and Sarkozy will now brandish their cojones, claiming to have had “a good war.”

As with his Harvard degree, Obama did not hesitate to brandish his pretty white wife with the Boston accent.

An ambitious stripling has only to brandish his sword and shout a few magniloquent words to induce them to rush to certain death.

Suddenly he was startled by seeing his mother snatch a stump of a fire-shovel from the hearth and brandish it over his head.

Who are we, the Wolves, to brandish empty firearms, to shrink from letting a little blood!

They brandish their torches and swiftly spin on one leg, and snap their fingers to chase away the aggressive spirits.

Thou didst also worship the bountiful immortals, and wast the first to brandish the veresma and to sing the Gathas.

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