as in waves
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 brandishes
The actor playing Brown wears a red hooded sweatshirt and brandishes a pocket knife similar to the one police say Brown used to fatally stab Zarutska.
—
Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 16 Sep. 2025
When a trompo taco is ordered, a cook brandishes a knife of ferocious sharpness, shaving a thin, broad piece large enough to overhang the corn tortilla it’s laid upon.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2025
Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 16 Sep. 2025
When a trompo taco is ordered, a cook brandishes a knife of ferocious sharpness, shaving a thin, broad piece large enough to overhang the corn tortilla it’s laid upon.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brandishes
Verb
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In Los Angeles, Justin Bieber takes the court for some basketball, a pregnant Cardi B waves her arms and Glen Powell and Peyton Manning are all smiles at the Chad Powers premiere.—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
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After the Hunt star Andrew Garfield waves to attendees of the red carpet premiere of the film in Venice on Friday.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Shell announces share buybacks as earnings top estimates.—
Ian King,
CNBC,
5 Nov. 2025
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Trump announces a second strike reportedly kills three people in the Caribbean.—
Anne Flaherty,
ABC News,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The bureau typically advertises in southern British Columbia, Calgary and Vancouver, said Mark Robitaille, its executive director.—
Sarah Cutler
November 3,
Idaho Statesman,
3 Nov. 2025
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At present, an interstitial pop-up advertises Reishi as 25 percent off; purchasing six sheets or more unlocks 50 percent off.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Ross O’Connor produces alongside Noah Lang and Blackhurst through Witchcraft Motion Picture Company, with Set Point Entertainment, Grim Discoveries, Gentile Entertainment Group, Monarque Entertainment and Mama Bear Studios attached.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
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Foundational to this style is the traditional use of hand modeling in clay, creating life-size models of the shapes and surfaces of the vehicles Mazda produces.—
Brett Berk,
Robb Report,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brandishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brandishes. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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