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
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
Federal prosecutors say 25-year-old Angel Gonzalez brandished a firearm during the robberies at a Santander Bank branch in Roxbury and a TD Bank branch in Roslindale on April 28.
—
CBS News,
23 May 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
The suspects entered the business, brandished guns at an employee and demanded money, Shih said.
—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
9 May 2026
Chatrie handed a teller a note demanding money, brandished a silver-and-black pistol and left with $195,000.
—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
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
Federal prosecutors say 25-year-old Angel Gonzalez brandished a firearm during the robberies at a Santander Bank branch in Roxbury and a TD Bank branch in Roslindale on April 28.
—
CBS News,
23 May 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
The suspects entered the business, brandished guns at an employee and demanded money, Shih said.
—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
9 May 2026
Chatrie handed a teller a note demanding money, brandished a silver-and-black pistol and left with $195,000.
—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 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 2 Jul. 2026.
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