brandish
2 synonyms for brandish, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To wave or swing a weapon around, often to show anger, threaten someone or display skill.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Etymology
Came into English via Middle English braundischen, from Old French brandiss-, the stem of brandir (“to flourish a sword”), from Frankish *brandijan, from Frankish *brand (“firebrand; sword”), from Proto-Germanic *brandaz (“fire; flame; sword”), from which Old English brand (“firebrand; torch”) also descends; equivalent...
Full origin of brandish →