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
Video captured at the scene shows chaos, with Indianapolis Metropolitan Police running with firearms brandished in a crowd of people gathered everywhere around the shopping plaza.
—
Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 21 Sep. 2025
One of the motorists brandished a weapon and gunshots were fired.
—Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 18 Sep. 2025
Many more incidents are categorized as defensive gun uses—in which a firearm is deployed, or brandished, in order to deter a crime.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2025
Two drivers got into an argument before one of them, Jesus Preciado Dousten, 33, allegedly brandished a gun and fired a shot in a random direction, according to Glendale police spokesperson Sgt.
—Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
The occupants of two vehicles got into an argument before one of the drivers, Jesus Preciado Dousten, 33, brandished a firearm and fired a shot in a random direction, according to Glendale police spokesperson Sgt.
—Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Any celebratory simulation of a weapon being brandished will draw an automatic unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
—Chase Goodbread, The Tuscaloosa News, 20 Aug. 2025
Moore grabbed one and brandished it in the air.
—Natalie Meade, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
Women may cry, lament or vent—freely and openly—without fear of being brandished as weak or lesser.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024
Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 21 Sep. 2025
One of the motorists brandished a weapon and gunshots were fired.
—Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 18 Sep. 2025
Many more incidents are categorized as defensive gun uses—in which a firearm is deployed, or brandished, in order to deter a crime.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2025
Two drivers got into an argument before one of them, Jesus Preciado Dousten, 33, allegedly brandished a gun and fired a shot in a random direction, according to Glendale police spokesperson Sgt.
—Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
The occupants of two vehicles got into an argument before one of the drivers, Jesus Preciado Dousten, 33, brandished a firearm and fired a shot in a random direction, according to Glendale police spokesperson Sgt.
—Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Any celebratory simulation of a weapon being brandished will draw an automatic unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
—Chase Goodbread, The Tuscaloosa News, 20 Aug. 2025
Moore grabbed one and brandished it in the air.
—Natalie Meade, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
Women may cry, lament or vent—freely and openly—without fear of being brandished as weak or lesser.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brandished
waved
Verb
-
At the end of Friday’s hearing, Grafe, before being escorted out of the courtroom by corrections officers, waved at a few of his family members who attended the hearing.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Marcela, a withered blonde with dark roots, waved to her from the corner table.—
Zuzana Říhová,
Literary Hub,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brandished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brandished. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.
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