brandish
verb (used with object)
to shake or wave, as a weapon; flourish.
was brandishing
-
past progressiveof brandish.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said that Pretti wished to "inflict harm" and was "brandishing" a weapon.
From BBC ● Jan. 26, 2026
Tunney and others quickly “put two and two together,” though, when they noticed that this black-and-orange-bedecked patron was brandishing a commemorative football.
From Washington Post ● Jan. 26, 2023
He is holding the same sword Balu was brandishing.
From New York Times ● Jul. 2, 2021
In a perverse sense, the relief of August 2017 was that one could finally differentiate the locals from the actual Nazis on the basis of who was brandishing flaming torches and carrying guns.
From Slate ● Sep. 3, 2020
The old woman, realizing she was brandishing a very sharp weapon, hastily put it down and wiped her hands on her apron.
From "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" by Brian Selznick
