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
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Recent Examples of brandishing
Together, the statements gave the impression Martinez had been brandishing her firearm when she was shot.
—
Josh Campbell, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
Ace holds center stage, knees bent, slung low to the ground, brandishing his Gibson while Gene and Paul preen on either side of him.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
Still, to this day, people come up to me brandishing letters that my mother once wrote to them.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
After hearing noises, the couple barrelled up into the living room, naked, with Rhys brandishing a poker from the fireplace.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
As Tatiana pulled into her driveway, Green exited his truck and ran toward her, brandishing a gun.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 29 Sep. 2025
On the morning of the show, police officers arrived with a bailiff brandishing an eviction notice, seeking to requisition the premises for the French government.
—Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 2025
After spending years in and out of care facilities, Brian’s life changed in 1993 after he was prosecuted for brandishing a knife.
—Jan Goldsmith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2025
That includes a disturbing attack in a Regal Cinema parking lot in 2022 involving a man who says he was attacked at random by the same suspect who was brandishing a machete.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Josh Campbell, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
Ace holds center stage, knees bent, slung low to the ground, brandishing his Gibson while Gene and Paul preen on either side of him.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
Still, to this day, people come up to me brandishing letters that my mother once wrote to them.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
After hearing noises, the couple barrelled up into the living room, naked, with Rhys brandishing a poker from the fireplace.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
As Tatiana pulled into her driveway, Green exited his truck and ran toward her, brandishing a gun.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 29 Sep. 2025
On the morning of the show, police officers arrived with a bailiff brandishing an eviction notice, seeking to requisition the premises for the French government.
—Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 2025
After spending years in and out of care facilities, Brian’s life changed in 1993 after he was prosecuted for brandishing a knife.
—Jan Goldsmith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2025
That includes a disturbing attack in a Regal Cinema parking lot in 2022 involving a man who says he was attacked at random by the same suspect who was brandishing a machete.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brandishing
Verb
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Even educators are waving the red flag.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
28 Oct. 2025
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Turn to face the shore, tread water, and signal for help by calling out or waving your arms.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Baiamonte, 62, grew up in Miami and attended Gulliver Prep, and developed an interest in basketball and announcing at a young age.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
25 Oct. 2025
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In August, the Neighbourhood shared an Instagram Story post announcing that the group — including drummer Brandon Fried — had reunited.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brandishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brandishing. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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