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Brandish vs Flout - What's the difference?

brandish | flout |

As verbs the difference between brandish and flout

is that brandish is to move or swing a weapon back and forth, particularly if demonstrating skill while flout is to express contempt for the rules by word or action.

As nouns the difference between brandish and flout

is that brandish is the act of flourishing or waving while flout is the act by which something is flouted.

brandish

English

Verb

(es)
  • To move or swing a weapon back and forth, particularly if demonstrating skill.
    • He brandished his sword at the pirates.
  • * Drake
    • the quivering lance which he brandished bright
  • To bear something with ostentatious show.
    • to brandish syllogisms
  • * 2011 , , Binay: Blame corruption on modern consumerism , Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation, [http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/315850/binay-blame-corruption-modern-consumerism]:
    • It sets the stage for cutting corners in our principles just so we can brandish a perceived badge of stature.
    {{quote-Fanny Hill, part=2 , Long, however, the young spark did not remain before giving it two or three shakes, by way of brandishing it}}

    Synonyms

    * flourish, wave

    Noun

    (es)
  • The act of flourishing or waving.

    • Synonyms

    * flourish

    flout

    English

    Verb

  • To express contempt for the rules by word or action.
  • * 2012 , The Economist, Sep 29th 2012 issue, Tax alchemy: Tech's avoidance
    • The manoeuvres of Microsoft and HP appear to comply with the letter of the regulations, even if they flout their spirit.
  • To scorn.
  • * Walton
    • Phillida flouts me.
  • * Byron
    • Three gaudy standards flout the pale blue sky.

    Usage notes

    * Do not confuse with flaunt.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The act by which something is flouted.
  • * 2012 , John Flowerdew, Discourse in English Language Education (page 97)
    • A flout is when someone deliberately and ostentatiously contravenes a maxim.