Synonyms of brandish

brandish

verb

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

Related Words

• wave
• announce
• produce
• advertise
• proclaim
• flaunt
• unveil
• expose
• exhibit
• flourish
• post
• display
• flash
• publicize
• air
• parade
• strut
• show
• herald
• broadcast
• sport
• show off
• reveal
• divulge
• lay out
• placard
• discover
• trumpet
• tell (of)
• disport
• sound
• blaze
• talk (about)
• uncover
• bare
• unmask
• uncloak

Dissimilar Words

• disguise
• mask
• camouflage
• conceal
• hide
• cover
• obscure
• veil
• curtain
• occlude
• enshroud
• occult
• shroud

Synonym Chooser

How is the word brandish distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of brandish are flourish, swing, thrash, and wave. While all these words mean "to wield or cause to move to and fro or up and down," brandish implies threatening or menacing motion.

brandishing a knife

When could flourish be used to replace brandish?

The synonyms flourish and brandish are sometimes interchangeable, but flourish suggests vigorous, ostentatious, graceful movement.

flourished the winning lottery ticket

When might swing be a better fit than brandish?

The meanings of swing and brandish largely overlap; however, swing implies regular or uniform movement.

swing the rope back and forth

Where would thrash be a reasonable alternative to brandish?

The words thrash and brandish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, thrash suggests vigorous, abrupt, violent movement.

an infant thrashing his arms about

When can wave be used instead of brandish?

While in some cases nearly identical to brandish, wave usually implies smooth or continuous motion.

waving the flag

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of brandish

In the civil lawsuit over the shooting, an attorney for the boy’s family said the teen had a gun because he was being targeted by local gangs, and pointed out that he was not accused of brandishing it. — The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026

Jameson’s lawyers argued that Riley brandished a rifle during the encounter and Jameson fired his own gun in self-defense. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026

Other, less cartoonish responses have lingered on Cambridge’s comparable glee in brandishing Arday in the first place. — Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2026

Dixson was charged by a federal indictment in November 2025 with one count of kidnapping, one count of carjacking and one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. — Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026

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