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Definition of brandish

brandish

/ˈbræn.dɪʃ/
bran · dish
Plural:brandishes
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Past Simple:brandished
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Past Participle:brandished
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Present Participle:brandishing
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brandish Lexical Profile

brandish Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To wave or flourish something (especially a tool, instrument, or weapon) as a threat or in anger, excitement, or triumph.

Example

"The excited fan began to brandish her team's pennant high above the crowd after the winning goal."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• noun

1

An ostentatious, menacing, or triumphant wave or flourish of an object.

Example

"With a dramatic brandish of his baton, the conductor signaled the orchestra to begin the final movement."

Synonyms
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• Rhymes for brandish

• Nearby Words

branco river
brand
branding
brandish
brandless
brandy
brandywine falls

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed into Middle English from Old French 'brandiss-', the stem of 'brandir' ('to wave a sword'), derived from Germanic 'brand' meaning both 'firebrand' and 'sword blade' (from the gleaming of the metal).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Brandish. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/brandish
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