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
Christa gleefully brandishes a page she’s ripped out of the phonebook that has her childhood address on it.
—
Hazlitt, 10 Dec. 2025
Harrelson brandishes that anything-goes leer that never gets old.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 11 Nov. 2025
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
Hazlitt, 10 Dec. 2025
Harrelson brandishes that anything-goes leer that never gets old.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 11 Nov. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brandishes
Verb
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The agent who appeared to be de-escalating a separate agent turns attention to the agent deploying pepper spray and waves him down.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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Altman almost waves away these grim tolls as an inevitable consequence of the product’s popularity.—
Frank Landymore,
Futurism,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As the city's beloved staple of outdoor theater announces its 66th season of productions, Matt Wallace, producing artistic director of Kentucky Shakespeare, reminds the community of how the program has grown into more than simply a night of theater.—
Kirby Adams,
Louisville Courier Journal,
8 Feb. 2026
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Close-up Photographer of the Year announces 2025 winner A trippy image of a coral, a huge swarm of mayflies and a ravenous spider were among the winners of the Close-up Photographer of the Year award.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The listing advertises that the 805-square-foot guest house can sleep up to 14 people.—
Nick Wooten,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Jan. 2026
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Many of the women were invited by Greenberg, who found them through a dating web site that advertises itself as a venue for older men to meet younger women, according to court records.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Wilson Sporting Goods in Ada, Ohio, produces the footballs for the big game.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
4 Feb. 2026
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On Air Fest debuted in 2018, and produces festivals in Brooklyn and Los Angeles.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brandishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brandishes. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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