brandishes

Brandishes is a verb meaning to wave or display a weapon or object in a threatening or assertive manner, often to intimidate or draw attention. It describes an action that is deliberate, typically involving a handheld item such as a sword, gun, baton, flag, or other prop. The verb is present tense; its past tense and past participle form is brandished.

The term is often used in military, law enforcement, and protest contexts. Journalists and legal reports describe brandishing as a form of threat or intimidation, while police citations may use the word to specify the armed display of a weapon. In many jurisdictions, brandishing a weapon is a defined offense, distinct from brandishing a non‑weapon object. The legal definition commonly requires an individual to hold or wave a weapon in a manner that poses a danger or alarm, and the offense typically varies in severity from a misdemeanor to a felony depending on the weapon involved and the circumstances.

Historically, the concept of brandishing dates back to the early modern period when soldiers would wave swords or rapiers to signal readiness or challenge. In medieval Europe, brandishing also meant to display a cross or religious symbol to ward off enemies. The word itself originates from the Middle English “brandihsen,” related to the German “brandig” meaning bright or flaming, reflecting the laurel or bright nature of the weapon’s edge being displayed.

Related terms include wield, parade, and flaunt. While wield generally covers the act of using a weapon, parade and flaunt refer to more casual or stylized display. Brandishing specifically carries a connotation of threat or intimidation, making it distinct in legal and security contexts.