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
Krejci’s expression as referee Tom Kirk brandished the red card looked like one of genuine bewilderment.
—
Steve Madeley, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Police said Madden entered a 59-year-old man’s Euclid Avenue apartment that night, brandished a gun and took the man’s wallet.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
For several minutes, humanoids from Unitree Robotics showed different sequences and even brandished swords.
—Ken Moritsugu, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
For several minutes, humanoids from Unitree Robotics showed different sequences and even brandished swords.
—ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026
Police said one of the males in the fight brandished a handgun and fired gunshots at others.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Police said after fleeing the hit-and-run scene, Harmon brandished a knife at the man in the 6400 block.
—Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
The 30-year-old mother was opening the bar when the suspect walked in, brandished a gun and demanded money, WGNTV reported, citing the sheriff’s office.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Fingers are brandished; glutes are flexed.
—Damian Garde, STAT, 5 Feb. 2026
Steve Madeley, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Police said Madden entered a 59-year-old man’s Euclid Avenue apartment that night, brandished a gun and took the man’s wallet.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
For several minutes, humanoids from Unitree Robotics showed different sequences and even brandished swords.
—Ken Moritsugu, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
For several minutes, humanoids from Unitree Robotics showed different sequences and even brandished swords.
—ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026
Police said one of the males in the fight brandished a handgun and fired gunshots at others.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Police said after fleeing the hit-and-run scene, Harmon brandished a knife at the man in the 6400 block.
—Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
The 30-year-old mother was opening the bar when the suspect walked in, brandished a gun and demanded money, WGNTV reported, citing the sheriff’s office.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Fingers are brandished; glutes are flexed.
—Damian Garde, STAT, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brandished
waved
Verb
-
Grinned at the camera and waved.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The As Ever founder styled herself simply with a gold circular choker and matching bracelet, with a pale pink manicure and her dark brunette hair lightly waved.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brandished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brandished. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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