brandish
verb (used with object)
to shake or wave, as a weapon; flourish.
had brandished
-
past perfectof brandish.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Later, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was asked to clarify if Pretti had brandished a gun.
From BBC ● Jan. 24, 2026
Putorti said he had brandished his gun because the defendant approached the bench “too quickly,” the commission said.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 23, 2022
At Sims Africa’s trial, no evidence was presented that she or the three other women charged alongside her had brandished or handled firearms during the siege.
From The Guardian ● Jun. 18, 2018
The Baton Rouge officers were called to the Triple S Food Mart on July 5, 2016, to respond to a report that a black man had brandished a gun and threatened someone.
From New York Times ● Mar. 27, 2018
Pettigrew flinched as though Black had brandished a whip at him.
From "Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban" by J.K. Rowling
