as in to wave
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 brandish
For several minutes, humanoids from Unitree Robotics showed different sequences and even brandished swords.
—
ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026
Multiple videos of the altercation did not show Pretti ever brandishing or reaching for the weapon.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
The teen was arrested on suspicion of crimes including assaulting a person with a semi-automatic firearm, brandishing a firearm, negligently discharging a firearm, evading a peace officer and driving under the influence of alcohol, the sheriff’s office said.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
Police said after fleeing the hit-and-run scene, Harmon brandished a knife at the man in the 6400 block.
—Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for brandish
ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026
Multiple videos of the altercation did not show Pretti ever brandishing or reaching for the weapon.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
The teen was arrested on suspicion of crimes including assaulting a person with a semi-automatic firearm, brandishing a firearm, negligently discharging a firearm, evading a peace officer and driving under the influence of alcohol, the sheriff’s office said.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
Police said after fleeing the hit-and-run scene, Harmon brandished a knife at the man in the 6400 block.
—Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for brandish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brandish
Verb
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This photograph shows European countries’ flags waving in front of the European Parliament building in Strasbourg, eastern France, on June 6, 2024.—
Chloe Taylor,Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
24 Feb. 2026
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Ajax supporters have responded by waving Israeli flags, even though many of their players are of African, Moroccan, or even Japanese descent.—
Ian Buruma,
New Yorker,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The bodies of all nine people who died in Tuesday’s avalanche in the Lake Tahoe area have been safely recovered from the slide area near Castle Peak in Nevada County, local authorities announced Saturday.—
Michael McGough,
Sacbee.com,
22 Feb. 2026
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Two weeks later, Homan announced the federal law enforcement presence in Minnesota would be scaled back.—
Nick Woltman,
Twin Cities,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Paiza Collection’s 160 butlers go through an extensive training program, and what that produces isn’t just robotic precision but also a culture of genuinely warm hospitality.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
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Our bodies naturally produce glutathione and optimal levels can be maintained through diet and lifestyle factors.—
Brianna Peters,
Vogue,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brandish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brandish. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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