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
-
Good, in the driver’s seat, waves cars past her.—
Frank Matt,
NBC news,
9 Jan. 2026
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One of the all-time greatest Stranger Things moments occurs when Dipshit Derek excitedly waves at his new best friend, Mike Wheeler.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Now, the big question for analysts seems to be when, not if, Abivax announces a deal.—
Elsa Ohlen,
CNBC,
9 Jan. 2026
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The third bill from Schroer would require a professional sports team that announces plans to relocate to another state to charge an extra $50 on every ticket sold and an additional 5% charge on all purchases inside the stadium.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Above and Beyond's website advertises services in at least eight states.—
Bram Sable-Smith,
NPR,
23 Dec. 2025
-
What if a store advertises returns but denies them anyway?—
Quinn Clark,
jsonline.com,
19 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Toyota Industries, which founded Toyota Motor, produces a range of products including forklifts, engines, electronic components, and stamping dies.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
15 Jan. 2026
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This biogas voyage produces 50 to 55 metric tons.—
Ryan Craggs,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brandishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brandishes. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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