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Flaunt vs Brandish - What's the difference?

flaunt | brandish | Synonyms |

In transitive terms the difference between flaunt and brandish

is that flaunt is to parade, display with ostentation while brandish is to bear something with ostentatious show.

As verbs the difference between flaunt and brandish

is that flaunt is to wave or flutter smartly in the wind while brandish is to move or swing a weapon back and forth, particularly if demonstrating skill.

As a noun brandish is

the act of flourishing or waving.

flaunt

English

Alternative forms

* (l) (obsolete)

Verb

(en verb)
  • (obsolete) To wave or flutter smartly in the wind.
  • To parade, display with ostentation.
  • She's always flaunting her designer clothes.
  • (intransitive, archaic, or, literary) To show off, as with flashy clothing.
  • * Arbuthnot
  • You flaunt about the streets in your new gilt chariot.
  • * Alexander Pope
  • One flaunts in rags, one flutters in brocade.
  • * 1856 , ,
  • [T]he younger belles had begun to flaunt in the French fashions of flimsy muslins, shortwaisted— narrow-skirted.
  • * 1897 , ,
  • … and Mrs. Wix seemed to flaunt there in her finery.

    Usage notes

    * Do not confuse with flout.

    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