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
No Elliot Stabler wannabe brandishes fists in her face.
—
Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 24 Mar. 2026
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
Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 24 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brandishes
Verb
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The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said tsunami waves up to 10 feet were possible on some coasts of the Philippines.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
-
Reid waves a paperback around before tossing it behind his back.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Rhode announces new summer collection Hailey Bieber's beauty brand Rhode announced its new summer collection to achieve a bronzy glow.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
-
Bone loss is one of those health risks that sneaks up quietly and then announces itself with a fracture.—
Allison Palmer
Updated June 3,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
On the floor of the court during the finals is Chase; Lexus advertises at MSG and Pepsi is the official nonalcoholic food and beverage partner.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
10 June 2026
-
The facility also advertises private animal encounters and off-site wildlife experiences.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
The agency, established in 1862, produces billions of notes each year and can print up to $1 billion in a single day if needed.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
-
The tropical houseplant produces exotic blossoms in shades of red, pink, lavender, white, and orange.—
Kate Nateras,
Architectural Digest,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brandishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brandishes. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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