brandish

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

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.
Recent Examples of brandish Rosen referenced cases where prosecutors sought an order for a man who had posted social-media threats involving the San Jose Convention Center, and for a county employee who openly brandished and racked a handgun at work. Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025 Dowdle hasn’t brandished the chip on his shoulder much publicly this year. Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2025 Prosecutors had previously argued Collins posed a danger for bringing a weapon into a volatile setting, though Kling maintained his client never brandished the firearm. Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025 Still, to this day, people come up to me brandishing letters that my mother once wrote to them. Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for brandish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brandish
Verb
  • George waved him off and strode through our flat to the balcony.
    David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
  • If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.
    Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • What To Know Jeffries, a New York Democrat, announced his decision after fielding relentless questions by the media and lawmakers on his thoughts about the race.
    Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
  • This kind of bet is key to the sports betting probe announced Thursday.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The ad was produced by the Ontario government.
    Diane Brady, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
  • The humanities program will work with the arts board's Folk & Traditional Arts Apprenticeship program to train master and apprentice Wisconsin folk artists in planning and producing public programs that showcase and contextualize cultural traditions, stories and histories.
    Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Brandish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brandish. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on brandish

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