brandished

USAGE SUMMARY

'brandished' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe someone exhibiting or displaying something, such as a weapon or a flag. For example, "He brandished a sword in the air to scare away the intruder."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When Singo brandished a broken glass at Cowin during an argument, the moment was captured by a paparazzo lurking around the Sydney restaurant zone popular with celebrities.

The Guardian

The first victim was Jeanetta Riley, a troubled 35-year-old pregnant woman, shot dead by police as she brandished a knife outside a hospital in the town of Sandpoint.

The Guardian

Television cameras caught glimpses of guns brandished by some of the men.

The Guardian

At a private dinner on Thursday evening at Stubb's residence, a summer house overlooking the Baltic sea, Cameron reportedly brandished opinion poll figures suggesting the European commission's £1.7bn budget surcharge had produced a 10% swing towards leaving the EU among British voters.

The Guardian

In campaign speeches only thinly veiled as impartial ribbon-cutting ceremonies all over the Kurdish south-east, Erdogan has repeatedly brandished a Kurdish translation of the Qur'an, warning "his Muslim Kurdish brothers" not to support "these people who have no relationship with Islam".

The Guardian

With Van Breuckelen and Klinsmann valiantly attempting to act as peace-makers, Loustau promptly brandished his red card in the direction of Rijkaard, before turning and showing it to Völler too.

The Guardian - Sport

The rampage itself was more Homer Simpson than Liam Gallagher as cabin services director Mario Agius described how Buck brandished a tub of yoghurt in one hand and a spoon in the other.

The Guardian

It also accounts for the odious posters of Mrs Merkel defaced with a Hitler moustache brandished by demonstrators in Greece.Ganz, Schön, LustigGermans see things differently.

The Economist

That is more than the $64 billion of capital invested in the businesses that remain.This figure can be brandished as evidence of how radical Mr Immelt has been.

The Economist

Hence the antique rifle Mr McConnell brandished at a conservative pow-wow on March 6th he needs to persuade the hard right that he is not squishy.Republicans need a net gain of six seats to capture the Senate.

The Economist

Egalitarian places such as Scandinavia outperform highly stratified ones, including Britain.In this section On equality Great aspirations The bombs of August An ever-upward spiral From him that hath shall be taken Far from victimless ReprintsThe book was quickly brandished by the left as vindication of social democracy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "brandished" when you want to convey a sense of dramatic display, often involving a weapon or object held assertively. It adds a layer of intensity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "brandished" when a neutral term like "displayed" or "showed" would be more appropriate. "Brandished" implies a level of aggression or theatricality that might be unintended.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "brandished" is as a verb, typically in the past tense. Ludwig's examples showcase its usage in describing actions of displaying weapons or objects in a theatrical or threatening manner.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "brandished" functions as a verb denoting the act of displaying something dramatically or aggressively. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently employed, especially within news and media outlets. While alternatives such as "waved" or "displayed" exist, "brandished" carries a specific nuance of intentional and often theatrical display. When considering source quality, "brandished" scores high due to its presence in authoritative publications such as The Economist and The Guardian. It's a word best used when aiming to convey a vivid image of assertive or demonstrative action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wielded

Implies readiness or intent to use something, such as a weapon.

flourished

Similar to "brandished" but often suggests a more artistic or decorative display.

waved

Implies a less aggressive or forceful display compared to "brandished".

displayed

A more neutral term, lacking the potential threat or showmanship of "brandished".

held aloft

Emphasizes the act of holding something high, often for visibility or symbolic purposes.

exhibited

Focuses on showing something, without necessarily implying movement or aggression.

paraded

Implies a boastful or ostentatious display.

presented

Suggests a more formal or deliberate showing, often with the intention of informing or persuading.

showed off

Suggests a desire to impress or boast about something.

unveiled

Specifically refers to revealing something that was previously hidden.

FAQs

How is "brandished" typically used in a sentence?

The word "brandished" is typically used to describe someone waving or displaying something, often a weapon, in a menacing or excited manner. For example, "The pirate "brandished his sword"". It can also be used more figuratively.

What are some alternatives to the word "brandished"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "waved", "flourished", "displayed", or "wielded". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "brandished" to describe showing off a new possession?

While technically correct, using "brandished" to describe showing off a new possession might sound overly dramatic or aggressive. A word like "displayed" or "showed off" would likely be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "brandished" and "wielded"?

"Brandished" implies waving or displaying something, often with a sense of drama or threat. "Wielded" suggests having control over and using something, especially a weapon or tool. You might "brandish" a sword to intimidate, but "wield" it in combat.