French word

brandir

Pronunciation

IPA/bʁɑ̃diʁ/

Meaning

  • verbbrandish

Example

Il brandit un drapeau pendant la manifestation.

He brandished a flag during the demonstration.

Illustration for brandir (brandish)

More examples

Pendant le débat, elle brandit un argument convaincant.

During the debate, she brandished a convincing argument.

Core concept

A hand lifts an object high and waves it so others notice it or feel challenged.

Common phrases

  • brandir un argument

    brandish an argument

  • brandir la preuve

    brandish the evidence

Similar words

agiter: Wave a hand or flag to attract attention.
secouer: Shake a hand or object vigorously to make it move.
lever: Raise a hand or object upward.
montrer: Display something in front of someone.

Definition in French

Élever ou secouer vivement un objet tenu en main, souvent pour le montrer ou intimider.

Word origin

French brandir comes from Old French brandir, a verb for waving or flourishing a weapon; English brandish comes from the same French source.

Usage tips

  • Brandir is a transitive verb, so the object follows it directly without a preposition, as in brandir un drapeau.

Other meanings

  • raiseverb
  • waveverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word