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
Officer Dominic Bloemendaal, a seven-year department veteran assigned to the Northern Division patrol unit, shot 53-year-old William John Hanley, who had allegedly been brandishing a weapon inside the Pacific Beach library, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
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Christian Martinez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2025
Upon arrival, officers discovered that the suspect who had brandished the gun, identified as Montana, had begun firing at his neighbor’s residence.
—Liam Quinn, People.com, 2 May 2025
But along with the carrot, the White House official continued to brandish a stick at Harvard.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 25 Apr. 2025
That direct encouragement accelerated an equity market rally which began as the president showed further inclination to back off of his most aggressive trade war plans and brandished a new trade deal with the U.K., the first such agreement of his second term.
—Derek Saul, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for brandish
Christian Martinez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2025
Upon arrival, officers discovered that the suspect who had brandished the gun, identified as Montana, had begun firing at his neighbor’s residence.
—Liam Quinn, People.com, 2 May 2025
But along with the carrot, the White House official continued to brandish a stick at Harvard.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 25 Apr. 2025
That direct encouragement accelerated an equity market rally which began as the president showed further inclination to back off of his most aggressive trade war plans and brandished a new trade deal with the U.K., the first such agreement of his second term.
—Derek Saul, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for brandish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brandish
Verb
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Rather than crying, the resilient bride smiled and waved at everyone as she was wheeled out of the party on a gurney, where guests gave her a grand exit at the back of the building with wedding sparklers.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
People.com,
23 May 2025
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Identify yourself: Talk calmly and slowly wave your arms.—
Helena Wegner,
Sacbee.com,
23 May 2025
Verb
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The impending launch, which SpaceX officially announced on Friday, May 23 a day after getting key regulatory approval, could be visible halfway around the world as the 400-foot vehicle soars on a suborbital trajectory.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
25 May 2025
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In early May, Conagra announced an agreement with Hometown Food Company to divest its Chef Boyardee product line for $600 million in cash.—
Pia Singh,
CNBC,
24 May 2025
Verb
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The film is produced by Hype Studios and Gold Rush Pictures.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
23 May 2025
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In Portugal, a snap general election has produced a picture of the political spectrum seen in other EU countries like Germany, and heavily colored by the issue of immigration.—
Mike O'Sullivan,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brandish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brandish. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
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