brandish

verb

Definition of brandishnext
as in to wave
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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Synonym Chooser

How is the word brandish distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of brandish are flourish, swing, thrash, and wave. While all these words mean "to wield or cause to move to and fro or up and down," brandish implies threatening or menacing motion.

brandishing a knife

When could flourish be used to replace brandish?

The synonyms flourish and brandish are sometimes interchangeable, but flourish suggests vigorous, ostentatious, graceful movement.

flourished the winning lottery ticket

When might swing be a better fit than brandish?

The meanings of swing and brandish largely overlap; however, swing implies regular or uniform movement.

swing the rope back and forth

Where would thrash be a reasonable alternative to brandish?

The words thrash and brandish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, thrash suggests vigorous, abrupt, violent movement.

an infant thrashing his arms about

When can wave be used instead of brandish?

While in some cases nearly identical to brandish, wave usually implies smooth or continuous motion.

waving the flag

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 brandish Emma Mackey’s White Witch opens her eyes, flies in metallic couture, brandishes a sword, and rides wildly through London on a horse while the ’70s rock blares in the background. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2026 Pupils clustered outside the doors of several schools in Paris and other cities in the morning hours, brandishing placards and megaphones and chanting slogans, and marches were planned later in the day. — Reuters, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2026 According to the victim, one suspect pointed a silver handgun at him while the second suspect brandished a knife. — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026 Huston was arrested the following day on allegations related to being a felon in possession of a firearm and brandishing a firearm during the incident, police said. — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for brandish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brandish
  1. wave
  2. announce
  3. produce
Verb
  • White stroked a 3-pointer and waved his arms over his head to the crowd.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The group and left-wing student organisations had urged supporters to gather at the Central Park in New Delhi’s busy Connaught Place shopping and food district on Friday evening to wave and hoist the national flag.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of wave
Verb
  • Trump blindsided Zelenskyy last weekend by announcing that Ukraine and Russia had agreed not to target each other's energy facilities.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
  • In recent weeks, legal trouble has brewed between her estate and nephew Brian Seaver, who was also her longtime head of security and the one who announced her passing to fans in a video on her social media.
    — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of announce
Verb
  • The three colors are mixed in different combinations and ratios, producing 16 different shades.
    — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 19 Oct. 2026
  • In particular, genes involved in the function of Jonathan's mitochondria -- which are structures inside cells that produce energy -- appeared similar to those from a 5-year-old tortoise named Hatchling.
    — KYLE MELNICK THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of produce

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Cite this Entry

“Brandish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brandish. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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