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
As the ferry slowly pulled into the Ishigaki port on May 29, a group of people waved the Taiwan flag and brandished a banner to welcome the first batch of visitors.
—
Wayne Chang, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
After flying the drone, Choyce brandished a gun and pointed the firearm at the seller before taking the drone and leaving in a vehicle, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 28 May 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
Fast forward five minutes, and our waiter brandished a new bottle ready for pouring, leaving us stuffed and happy.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Grimes brandished a gun, and Northington and Hyman robbed the store, taking money from the cash register.
—Lily Carey, Baltimore Sun, 16 Apr. 2026
Wayne Chang, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
After flying the drone, Choyce brandished a gun and pointed the firearm at the seller before taking the drone and leaving in a vehicle, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 28 May 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
Fast forward five minutes, and our waiter brandished a new bottle ready for pouring, leaving us stuffed and happy.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Grimes brandished a gun, and Northington and Hyman robbed the store, taking money from the cash register.
—Lily Carey, Baltimore Sun, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brandished
waved
Verb
-
Outside, a cluster of demonstrators held signs and waved flags on the perimeter of courthouse property.—
CBS Texas Staff,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
-
As the ferry slowly pulled into the Ishigaki port on May 29, a group of people waved the Taiwan flag and brandished a banner to welcome the first batch of visitors.—
Wayne Chang,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brandished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brandished. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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