brandish

/ˈbran-dish/

Middle English braundisshen, from Anglo-French brandiss-, stem of brandir, from brant, braund sword, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English brand

verb

  1. to shake or wave (something, such as a weapon) menacingly

  2. to exhibit in an ostentatious or aggressive manner

brandished a knife at them

swing wave flourish brandish thrash mean to wield or cause to move to and fro or up and down. swing implies regular or uniform movement. wave usually implies smooth or continuous motion.

noun

  1. an act or instance of waving something menacingly or exhibiting something ostentatiously or aggressively : an act or instance of brandishing