brandish

[US]/'brændɪʃ/
[UK]/'brændɪʃ/
Frequency: Very High

Translation

vt. wave in a threatening or showy manner
n. a display of something in a showy manner
Word Forms
Past Tensebrandished
Present Participlebrandishing
Third Person Singularbrandishes
Past Participlebrandished
Pluralbrandishes

Phrases & Collocations

brandish a weapon

brandish a sword

brandish power

brandish a flag

Example Sentences

Swords brandished and banners waved.

The jester brandished his bauble.

The horseman came up to Robin Hood, brandishing his sword.

He never brandishes his intellect.

The robber brandished a knife during the robbery.

She brandished her diploma proudly at the graduation ceremony.

The warrior brandished his sword before charging into battle.

The politician brandished his promises to gain votes.

The angry driver brandished his fist at the other car.

The magician brandished his wand and cast a spell.

The protester brandished a banner during the demonstration.

The chef brandished a knife skillfully while preparing the ingredients.

The pirate captain brandished his cutlass as a warning to the crew.

The conductor brandished his baton to signal the start of the performance.

Real-world Examples

Some marchers joining a rally called by a women's collective brandished slogans such as women, life, freedom.

Source: VOA Daily Standard October 2022 Collection

The foolish King brandished his twig and pointed it at the dead dog.

Source: The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling

But from poison traps to hastily brandished slippers, cockroaches seem to weather just about everything we throw at them.

Source: Bilingual Edition of TED-Ed Selected Speeches

He was laughing when the nurse came in, brandishing a syringe.

Source: Twilight: Eclipse

" Now really! " said Mr. Weasley angrily, brandishing his wand.

Source: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Harry looked bemusedly at the photograph Colin was brandishing under his nose.

Source: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Today he is seen as a superhero, although he still brandishes Mjollnir.

Source: Encyclopedia of World History

He rolled up his sleeves, brandished his wand, and bellowed, “Peskipiksi Pesternomi! ”

Source: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Selected Edition

The male continued to follow after the officers while brandishing the weapon.

Source: PBS Interview Social Series

" Insubordination, sir! " roared a corpulent, red-nosed wizard, brandishing his fists. " Dereliction of duty! "

Source: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

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