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Brandished: meaning, definitions and examples

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brandished

 

[ ˈbrændɪʃt ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

showing weapon

To brandish means to wave or flourish something, especially a weapon, in a dramatic or menacing way. It often implies a readiness to use the object being waved, suggesting aggression or intimidation.

Synonyms

display, flourish, show off, wave

Examples of usage

  • He brandished the sword in front of the crowd.
  • The knight brandished his shield defiantly.
  • She brandished her pen as if it were a sword.
  • The protester brandished a sign to get attention.

Translations

Translations of the word "brandished" in other languages:

🇵🇹 brandido

🇮🇳 बांधना

🇩🇪 geschwenkt

🇮🇩 dihentakkan

🇺🇦 размахнув

🇵🇱 wymachany

🇯🇵 振りかざした

🇫🇷 brandit

🇪🇸 blandiendo

🇹🇷 sallamak

🇰🇷 휘두른

🇸🇦 لوح

🇨🇿 mávaný

🇸🇰 mávaný

🇨🇳 挥舞的

🇸🇮 zamahnjen

🇮🇸 sverja

🇰🇿 сілтеді

🇬🇪 მოძრაობდა

🇦🇿 çırpıldı

🇲🇽 blandiendo

Word origin

The word 'brandished' is derived from the Middle English term 'brandisshen,' which means to wave or flourish, especially in a threatening manner. This term traces back to the Old French word 'brandir,' meaning 'to brandish' or 'to sway.' The roots of 'brand' can also be connected to the Old High German 'brant,' which referred to fire or burning, symbolizing something sharp or dangerous. Over time, the usage of 'brandish' evolved to emphasize the action of wielding weapons as a display of power or aggression. The historical context often involves knights, warriors, or anyone in a confrontational scenario, giving the word a strong connotation that relates to both physical and metaphorical displays of authority.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,473, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.