noun
brandishing
Brandishing (noun) means the act of waving or holding something, usually a weapon, in a threatening or showy way. Example: “Brandishing a knife in public can lead to serious criminal charges.”
noun
1
The act of waving or holding something, usually a weapon, in a threatening or showy way.
"Brandishing a knife in public can lead to serious criminal charges."
"The security footage showed the man brandishing a bat as he entered the store."
How to use brandishing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWaving something around, often a weapon, to show off or to threaten someone.
Memory tip
It almost always describes waving something dangerous or attention-grabbing — you brandish a sword, not a pencil.
Common pairings
brandishing a weapon
brandishing a knife
brandishing a gun
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Word forms
- Plural
- brandishings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ a knife in public can lead to serious criminal charges.
Rhymes for brandishing
fishing
dishing
phishing
swishing
vanishing
perishing
finishing
punishing
polishing
ravishing
nourishing
publishing
See all rhymes for brandishing →
Frequently asked questions
What does “brandishing” mean?
The word “brandishing” means the act of waving or holding something, usually a weapon, in a threatening or showy way. In plain terms, waving something around, often a weapon, to show off or to threaten someone.
How do you use “brandishing” in a sentence?
Here is “brandishing” used in a sentence: “Brandishing a knife in public can lead to serious criminal charges.”
What part of speech is “brandishing”?
“Brandishing” is a noun.
What is the meaning of brandishing?
"brandishing" (noun) means the act of waving or holding something, usually a weapon, in a threatening or showy way.
