as in waved
to put into view in a threatening or excited manner
She brandished a stick at the dog. brandished a petition signed by hundreds of town residents
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Recent Examples of brandished
That officer then pulled the man from the car, at which point the man brandished a knife.
—
Topher Sanders,
ProPublica,
30 June 2026
After that, Marcelle said Jones left her bedroom, returned with a bookbag, and brandished a gun.
—
Tara Lynch,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
There were 22 brandished at the 1998 World Cup and 17 in the 2002 World Cup.
—
George Edwards,
New York Times,
21 June 2026
According to police, Ford brandished a gun and attempted to grab the watch while meeting Gragg's son on the front porch.
—
Liam Quinn,
PEOPLE,
17 June 2026
While detailing the facts of the case on Tuesday, Tellman told the judge that Lawhead knocked at the door, brandished a gun and ordered her to leave the home with him.
—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
Vallejo then brandished a bottle at the victim and threatened to kill her, before removing her clothes and raping her, officials said.
—
Nicholas Williams,
New York Daily News,
14 June 2026
In the 2022 World Cup, across a total of 64 matches, only four red cards were brandished.
—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
12 June 2026
The Russian leader has repeatedly brandished the nuclear sword after sending troops into Ukraine in February 2022 to try to deter the West from ramping up support for Ukraine.
—
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Topher Sanders,
ProPublica,
30 June 2026
After that, Marcelle said Jones left her bedroom, returned with a bookbag, and brandished a gun.
—
Tara Lynch,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
There were 22 brandished at the 1998 World Cup and 17 in the 2002 World Cup.
—
George Edwards,
New York Times,
21 June 2026
According to police, Ford brandished a gun and attempted to grab the watch while meeting Gragg's son on the front porch.
—
Liam Quinn,
PEOPLE,
17 June 2026
While detailing the facts of the case on Tuesday, Tellman told the judge that Lawhead knocked at the door, brandished a gun and ordered her to leave the home with him.
—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
Vallejo then brandished a bottle at the victim and threatened to kill her, before removing her clothes and raping her, officials said.
—
Nicholas Williams,
New York Daily News,
14 June 2026
In the 2022 World Cup, across a total of 64 matches, only four red cards were brandished.
—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
12 June 2026
The Russian leader has repeatedly brandished the nuclear sword after sending troops into Ukraine in February 2022 to try to deter the West from ramping up support for Ukraine.
—
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brandished
waved
Verb
-
Lo Cleso finishes after having an earlier goal waved off for offside.
-
Roars erupted through the stands as Beckham waved to the crowd.
Cite this Entry
“Brandished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brandished. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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