BRANDISHING Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

brandishing

verb

present participle of brandish

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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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 brandishing The 15-year-old who is accused of having a knife is also accused of brandishing a weapon and possession of a weapon on school grounds. — Tim Fang, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026 The video showed the suspects entering the smoke shop and brandishing handguns. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Curtis Green, 35, of Irvine was charged with brandishing a firearm at the party held in the VIP area of the Dahlia Lounge in San Francisco’s Mission District. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 14 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 Photograph by Brenda Bazán for TIME On July 4th—the 250th anniversary of America’s independence—Senate candidates in other states were marching in parades, waving miniature Stars and Stripes, and brandishing sparklers. — Philip Elliott, Time, 30 Sep. 2026 Officers had initially responded to reports of Stroud brandishing a weapon inside a vehicle. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Sep. 2026 Reach uses a crab trap to disarm a G-man brandishing an On the Waterfront–style hook. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for brandishing

Verb

Many of those violet-clad, towel-waving fans packed Chase Center for a Game 4 watch party.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
The cast members, if not running to de-wig and get into their next costume, can be seen dancing, waving and greeting others buried in that centre-stage circus.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of waving

Verb

As Hinojosa gained in the polls this summer, Abbott reversed his position on data centers, announcing a moratorium on new developments and an audit on the use of water and energy.

— Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026
In her new role, Danielle will help celebrate her aunt's life and accomplishments while offering a personal perspective on the woman behind the music, according to a press release announcing the appointment.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of announcing

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brandishes

brandishing

brand name

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“Brandishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brandishing. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of brandishing

verb

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