as in waving
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
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of brandishing
Multiple videos of the altercation did not show Pretti ever brandishing or reaching for the weapon.
—
Andy Rose, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
The teen was arrested on suspicion of crimes including assaulting a person with a semi-automatic firearm, brandishing a firearm, negligently discharging a firearm, evading a peace officer and driving under the influence of alcohol, the sheriff’s office said.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
The footage, released by the NYPD on Tuesday, shows an officer entering the living room of the home, where Chakraborty was allegedly brandishing a knife.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Police released alarming photos of suspects brandishing weapons after a woman in her 30s was fatally shot inside a White Settlement home on Friday afternoon.
—Doug Myers, CBS News, 31 Jan. 2026
Many other videos show MAGA people coming to protests brandishing firearms.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2026
And so the players showed up brandishing hope for this summer while sweetly admitting the emotion that still lingers from last fall.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
There has been no evidence that NPR has verified of Pretti brandishing his handgun at any time during the encounter with federal agents.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 27 Jan. 2026
Legally carrying a firearm is not the same as brandishing a firearm.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Andy Rose, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
The teen was arrested on suspicion of crimes including assaulting a person with a semi-automatic firearm, brandishing a firearm, negligently discharging a firearm, evading a peace officer and driving under the influence of alcohol, the sheriff’s office said.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
The footage, released by the NYPD on Tuesday, shows an officer entering the living room of the home, where Chakraborty was allegedly brandishing a knife.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Police released alarming photos of suspects brandishing weapons after a woman in her 30s was fatally shot inside a White Settlement home on Friday afternoon.
—Doug Myers, CBS News, 31 Jan. 2026
Many other videos show MAGA people coming to protests brandishing firearms.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2026
And so the players showed up brandishing hope for this summer while sweetly admitting the emotion that still lingers from last fall.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
There has been no evidence that NPR has verified of Pretti brandishing his handgun at any time during the encounter with federal agents.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 27 Jan. 2026
Legally carrying a firearm is not the same as brandishing a firearm.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brandishing
Verb
-
Footage obtained by affiliate FOX 11 Los Angeles showed students marching down the street, waving large Mexican flags and signs while toting backpacks.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
There, Brandon became known for his ongoing investigation into air pollution at a paper mill part-owned by NFL owner Robert Kraft, including his attempt to get an interview with Kraft by waving down his police motorcade.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Kid Rock said in a release announcing the lineup.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Rodríguez herself hasn't embraced meaningful public debate of the nation's problems other than announcing the creation of an advisory commission on political co-existence to be headed by Villegas' brother, Culture Minister Ernesto Villegas.—
EGINA GARCIA CANO,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brandishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brandishing. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
