Synonyms for brandish
Most common
Definitions
- v. 1
To move or swing a weapon back and forth, particularly if demonstrating anger, threat or skill.
He brandished his sword at the pirates.
Forms
- Past participle
- brandished
e.g. brandished → waved, flourished, wielded, shaken…
Choose the right word
Sway used transitively especially applies to motions of grace or dignity; brandish denotes a threatening or hostile motion; a monarch sways the scepter; the ruffian brandishes a club.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- wield Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| brandish | rising | |
| wield | rising |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- wave1
- 5 letters
- shake1, swing1, wield1
- 8 letters
- flourish2
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (flourish2 = 2 syllables).