as in waved
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 brandished
To my left, people brandished flags from Argentina, Cuba, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine.
—
Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Two drivers got into an argument before one of them, Jesus Preciado Dousten, 33, allegedly brandished a gun and fired a shot in a random direction, according to Glendale police spokesperson Sgt.
—Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
The occupants of two vehicles got into an argument before one of the drivers, Jesus Preciado Dousten, 33, brandished a firearm and fired a shot in a random direction, according to Glendale police spokesperson Sgt.
—Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Any celebratory simulation of a weapon being brandished will draw an automatic unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
—Chase Goodbread, The Tuscaloosa News, 20 Aug. 2025
Moore grabbed one and brandished it in the air.
—Natalie Meade, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
Women may cry, lament or vent—freely and openly—without fear of being brandished as weak or lesser.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024
The victim confronted the suspects, who in turn brandished handguns and left the scene in two cars.
—Jason Green, The Mercury News, 6 Dec. 2024
After the meeting ended, the shooter walked to the playground of the school, brandished a handgun and opened fire.
—Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 5 Dec. 2024
Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Two drivers got into an argument before one of them, Jesus Preciado Dousten, 33, allegedly brandished a gun and fired a shot in a random direction, according to Glendale police spokesperson Sgt.
—Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
The occupants of two vehicles got into an argument before one of the drivers, Jesus Preciado Dousten, 33, brandished a firearm and fired a shot in a random direction, according to Glendale police spokesperson Sgt.
—Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Any celebratory simulation of a weapon being brandished will draw an automatic unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
—Chase Goodbread, The Tuscaloosa News, 20 Aug. 2025
Moore grabbed one and brandished it in the air.
—Natalie Meade, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
Women may cry, lament or vent—freely and openly—without fear of being brandished as weak or lesser.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024
The victim confronted the suspects, who in turn brandished handguns and left the scene in two cars.
—Jason Green, The Mercury News, 6 Dec. 2024
After the meeting ended, the shooter walked to the playground of the school, brandished a handgun and opened fire.
—Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 5 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brandished
waved
Verb
-
Head referee Sergii Boiko initially waved play on, but overturned his call after going to the monitor for a second look.—
Franco Panizo,
Miami Herald,
14 Sep. 2025
-
On fourth down a flag was thrown for what looked like pass interference on the Mustangs, but after the officials huddled, the penalty was waved off giving the ball back to the Bulldogs.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brandished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brandished. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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