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 Dixson was charged by a federal indictment in November 2025 with one count of kidnapping, one count of carjacking and one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. — Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026 Campos brandished a gun at bank tellers and customers in five of the robberies, officials said. — Pioneer Press, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026 Joseph Henrichsen also faces up to 20 years in prison for each charge of assaulting a federal employee with a deadly weapon, up to seven years for brandishing a weapon during a crime of violence and up to one year for assaulting a federal officer. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 3 Aug. 2026 Joseph Henrichsen now faces additional charges of assaulting a federal employee with a deadly weapon, brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer, the release said. — Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for brandish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brandish
  1. wave
  2. announce
  3. produce
Verb
  • Another shows someone climbing into a helicopter, stepping from a roof terrace, onto the landing gear and then into the cockpit, after appearing to take off their t-shirt to wave and attract the aircraft’s attention.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Dance, stretch, sway, walk, garden, or wave your arms around your living room.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of wave
Verb
  • Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday announced a plan to sever the Islamic Republic's financial connections around the world.
    — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The news comes after the movie theater announced its closure, leaving New Yorkers mourning at the loss.
    — Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of announce
Verb
  • This rainfall is likely to produce flash flooding, especially in low-lying and urban areas.
    — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • What we’re left with is a system for producing conflict, a machine for generating chaos.
    — Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of produce

Browse Nearby Words

branding
brandish
brandished
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Cite this Entry

“Brandish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brandish. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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