brandished

past tense of brandish

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 brandished Havas never brandished a weapon during the incident, the incident report said. — Henry J. Gomez, NBC news, 8 Sep. 2026 Investigators said none of the weapons was brandished or removed from its holster during the incident. — Cheryl Vari, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 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 Campos brandished a gun at bank tellers and customers in five of the robberies, officials said. — Pioneer Press, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026 In another heated dispute at a Costco in British Columbia, a woman brandished a machete. — Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 30 July 2026 During one particularly violent encounter in June 2024, China Coast Guard personnel brandished axes at Philippine troops and slashed their rubber boats. — Ivan Watson, CNN Money, 24 July 2026 As baseball braces for a potentially lengthy lockout after the 2026 season, the Players’ Association has brandished the record-setting price as an example of how committed spending can drive franchise values. — Dennis Lin, New York Times, 22 July 2026 Spectators wore hats and brandished small fans to fend off the heat as a formation of air force planes roared overhead trailing red, white and blue smoke. — Eva Van Dam, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brandished
waved
Verb
  • One of the orange jackets waiting with her waved at Officer H.
    — Anand Giridharadas, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Last spring, Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner waved from a city fire truck at the front of the annual gay Pride parade down Ocean Drive.
    — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Brandished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brandished. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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