often capitalized
: nazi
especially : storm trooper

Examples of brownshirt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
So too Lewis Milestone’s 1930 All Quiet on the Western Front (#45), at least in Germany, where the movie’s antiwar message caused Nazi brownshirts to disrupt screenings and attack movie patrons. J. Hoberman, The New Republic, 22 June 2023 Some elements of the Wolfe collection have already been sold, but the remaining items up for auction Saturday include Hitler’s uniform visor hat, a brownshirt uniform and several medals, including an Iron Cross, Gottlieb said. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Sep. 2019

Word History

First Known Use

1932, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of brownshirt was in 1932

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Cite this Entry

“Brownshirt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brownshirt. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

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