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
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 brandished
Many of the thousands of demonstrators taking to the streets brandished weapons including guns and daggers, while others waved Lebanese, Palestinian, Iranian and Hezbollah flags.
—
Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
Upon arrival, officers determined that one of the suspects brandished an AK-47 style rifle, while the second suspect brandished a handgun.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026
Authorities said when the driver refused to take them to a specific location, one of the men allegedly brandished a gun and forcibly removed him from the vehicle.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Israel’s firebrand minister of national security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, who spearheaded the push for the legislation, brandished a bottle in celebration.
—Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
That's when police say the man brandished the knife and charged at the officers.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
As the argument heated up, Chino brandished a hammer and hit his victim over the head with it, witnesses told police.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
For one, the arm on the Bendos was fashioned to hold a pipe, not an ax like the other Muffler Men, and instead of a classic Bunyan knit cap, the Bendos brandished a full head of hair.
—Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 25 Mar. 2026
All told, 12 people brandished firearms, with the guns found at the scene including at least two AR-style rifles, according to court records.
—ABC News, 9 Mar. 2026
Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
Upon arrival, officers determined that one of the suspects brandished an AK-47 style rifle, while the second suspect brandished a handgun.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026
Authorities said when the driver refused to take them to a specific location, one of the men allegedly brandished a gun and forcibly removed him from the vehicle.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Israel’s firebrand minister of national security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, who spearheaded the push for the legislation, brandished a bottle in celebration.
—Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
That's when police say the man brandished the knife and charged at the officers.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
As the argument heated up, Chino brandished a hammer and hit his victim over the head with it, witnesses told police.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
For one, the arm on the Bendos was fashioned to hold a pipe, not an ax like the other Muffler Men, and instead of a classic Bunyan knit cap, the Bendos brandished a full head of hair.
—Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 25 Mar. 2026
All told, 12 people brandished firearms, with the guns found at the scene including at least two AR-style rifles, according to court records.
—ABC News, 9 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brandished
waved
Verb
-
Texas Rangers legend Josh Hamilton waved around two dollar bills with a smile on his face Tuesday at Oak Grove Park.—
Charles Baggarly
April 2,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
-
After a scoreless first period, Jared Wright nearly put the Kings ahead midway through the second, but his goal was waved off for goaltender interference.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brandished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brandished. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
