noun

brandishing

noun

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 notes

In 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

brandishings plural

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Can you complete this real example?

_____ a knife in public can lead to serious criminal charges.

fishing dishing swishing vanishing perishing finishing punishing polishing ravishing nourishing publishing furnishing