brandished
Waved in menace
Brandished is the past tense of brandish, meaning to wave or flourish something—usually a weapon—in a threatening or dramatic way: He brandished a knife at the cashier.
The gesture is meant to intimidate or display aggression.
Figuratively, someone might brandish credentials or evidence to make a forceful point: She brandished her diploma at anyone who questioned her expertise.
Hilted fighting blade
- knifeSharp cutting utensil
- gunProjectile-launching weapon
- axeBladed tool for chopping
- spearPole with sharp point
dagger · pistol · rifle · club · machete · saber · cutlass · scimitar
Oscillating motion through medium
- swingSuspended recreational seat
- swishSoft rushing sound
- sweepBrush clean with broom
- twirlRotate rapidly, often playfully
thrust · gesture · flair · panache · swashbuckling · dramatic · theatrical · swordplay
Source of potential harm
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- warningAlert about danger
- aggressionHostile or attacking behavior
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
defiance · hostility · challenge · provocation · display · gesture · stance · posture
sword
Hilted fighting blade
spear · dagger · pistol · rifle · club · machete · saber · cutlass · scimitar · revolver
wave
Oscillating motion through medium
twirl · thrust · gesture · flair · panache · swashbuckling · dramatic · theatrical · swordplay · showmanship
menace
Source of potential harm
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- warningAlert about danger
- aggressionHostile or attacking behavior
confrontation · defiance · hostility · challenge · provocation · display · gesture · stance · posture · ultimatum
brandishedconcealed
Made invisible deliberately
hid · hidden · secreted · tucked away · pocketed
brandishedholstered
Kept in a side pouch
sheathed · surrendered · relinquished · stood down · withdrew