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
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
Israel’s firebrand minister of national security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, who spearheaded the push for the legislation, brandished a bottle in celebration.
—
Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
That's when police say the man brandished the knife and charged at the officers.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
As the argument heated up, Chino brandished a hammer and hit his victim over the head with it, witnesses told police.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
For one, the arm on the Bendos was fashioned to hold a pipe, not an ax like the other Muffler Men, and instead of a classic Bunyan knit cap, the Bendos brandished a full head of hair.
—Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 25 Mar. 2026
Surveillance video captured the moment one suspect brandished an apparent assault-style rifle and struck the clerk, officials reportedly said.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026
The suspect allegedly brandished a kitchen knife and stabbed the man several times, causing life-threatening injuries before fleeing the area on foot, according to police.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 2026
All told, 12 people brandished firearms, with the guns found at the scene including at least two AR-style rifles, according to court records.
—ABC News, 9 Mar. 2026
The suspect brandished a handgun and forced the man back inside his home, striking both the man and his 62-year-old wife with the gun inside the house, police said.
—Harry Harris, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2026
Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
That's when police say the man brandished the knife and charged at the officers.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
As the argument heated up, Chino brandished a hammer and hit his victim over the head with it, witnesses told police.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
For one, the arm on the Bendos was fashioned to hold a pipe, not an ax like the other Muffler Men, and instead of a classic Bunyan knit cap, the Bendos brandished a full head of hair.
—Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 25 Mar. 2026
Surveillance video captured the moment one suspect brandished an apparent assault-style rifle and struck the clerk, officials reportedly said.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026
The suspect allegedly brandished a kitchen knife and stabbed the man several times, causing life-threatening injuries before fleeing the area on foot, according to police.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 2026
All told, 12 people brandished firearms, with the guns found at the scene including at least two AR-style rifles, according to court records.
—ABC News, 9 Mar. 2026
The suspect brandished a handgun and forced the man back inside his home, striking both the man and his 62-year-old wife with the gun inside the house, police said.
—Harry Harris, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brandished
waved
Verb
-
Most of that treatment has come courtesy of Alexandra Champalimaud, who previously waved her hard-to-define, contemporary-classic wand over the Plaza in New York and the Dorchester in London, among many other hotels.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Sánchez walked off the mound to a standing ovation and waved to 44,610 fans.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brandished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brandished. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
