Synonyms of brandish

brandish

verb

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• wave
• announce
• produce
• advertise
• proclaim
• flaunt
• unveil
• expose
• exhibit
• flourish
• post
• display
• flash
• publicize
• air
• parade
• strut
• show
• herald
• broadcast
• sport
• show off
• reveal
• divulge
• lay out
• placard
• discover
• trumpet
• tell (of)
• disport
• sound
• blaze
• talk (about)
• uncover
• bare
• unmask
• uncloak

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disguise
• mask
• camouflage
• conceal
• hide
• cover
• obscure
• veil
• curtain
• occlude
• enshroud
• occult
• shroud

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

Recent Examples of brandish

At that time, Bowen is seen on a dashboard camera recording from one of the Task Force vehicles brandishing a gun. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2025

Jaden Smith once again brandished his new Petite Malle at Louis Vuitton‘s fall 2025 fashion show in Paris on Monday. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 10 Mar. 2025

The trailer has an intense, industrial rock score, with the two brandishing guns like Bonnie and Clyde and Frankenstein beating a man to a pulp in an alley. —Brian Welk, IndieWire, 1 Apr. 2025

In the penultimate episode of Season 3 of The White Lotus, Rick confronts his father's killer Jim Hollinger, brandishes his gun, decides not to commit murder, kicks over the old man's chair, and finds closure. —Eliana Dockterman, Time, 31 Mar. 2025

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