brandishing
Waving something threateningly
Brandishing is waving or flourishing something, typically a weapon, in a threatening or excited manner: He was arrested for brandishing a knife.
The gesture is meant to intimidate or signal readiness to use force.
Figuratively, people brandish credentials, statistics, or arguments—displaying them aggressively to make a point: She brandished her PhD at anyone who disagreed.
Hilted fighting blade
Conveying threat or danger
- threateningExpressing intent to harm
- intimidatingInspiring fear or unease
- aggressiveHostile and confrontational
- hostileAggressively unfriendly
warning · confrontational · belligerent · provocative · antagonistic · defiant · fierce · ominous
Prospering vigorously
- flauntingOstentatious display of something
- showingPresenting for others
- displayingPresenting to view
- presentingDisplaying to an audience
wielding · exhibiting · parading · demonstrating · revealing · showcasing · flashing · raising
Defiance of established power
- protestPublic expression of disapproval
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
- challengeTest of ability
- dissentDisagreement with authority
mutiny · revolt · uprising · confrontation · disobedience · audacity · boldness · insubordination
sword
Hilted fighting blade
dagger · machete · blade · axe · spear · club · stick · fist · rifle · cutlass
menacing
Conveying threat or danger
- threateningExpressing intent to harm
- intimidatingInspiring fear or unease
- aggressiveHostile and confrontational
hostile · warning · confrontational · belligerent · provocative · antagonistic · defiant · fierce · ominous · foreboding
flourishing
Prospering vigorously
- flauntingOstentatious display of something
- showingPresenting for others
- displayingPresenting to view
presenting · wielding · exhibiting · parading · demonstrating · revealing · showcasing · flashing · raising · gesturing
rebellion
Defiance of established power
- protestPublic expression of disapproval
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
- challengeTest of ability
dissent · mutiny · revolt · uprising · confrontation · disobedience · audacity · boldness · insubordination · obstinacy
- intimidationthreats, threatening, menacing, intimidate, bullying
- weapons crimesweapons charge, illegal possession, armed robbery, armed assault, gun trafficking
- weapon drawsfast draw, quick draw, unsheathing, presentation
- self-defenseself-defense, martial arts, self-protection, karate, pepper spray
- containingcontaining, enclosing, encasing, wrapping, enveloping
- ways to walkmarching, strutting, prancing, strolling, striding
brandishingconcealing
Keeping something secret
hiding · secreting · stashing · pocketing · tucking away
brandishingholstering
Securing in leather pouch
sheathing · lowering · putting away · laying down · surrendering