wield

verb

ˈwēld 

wielded; wielding; wields

transitive verb

1

chiefly dialectal : to deal successfully with : manage

2

: to handle (something, such as a tool) especially effectively

wield a broom

3

a

: to exert one's authority by means of

wield influence

b

: to have at one's command or disposal

did not wield appropriate credentials

—G. W. Bonham

wielder noun

Synonyms

• apply
• exercise
• exert
• ply
• put out

Examples of wield in a Sentence

The man was wielding a gun.

Can he wield a hammer?

He wields a great deal of influence over his students.

Recent Examples on the Web

Billionaire Elon Musk has wielded his fortune to curry favor with Trump this election, pouring $118.6 million into his America PAC. —Taylor Giorno, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024

Achieving a perfect score became the ultimate symbol of an LGBTQ-friendly workplace, and the group wielded it aggressively — so much so that some corporate advisers likened it to an activist hedge fund. —Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024

This time, however, Kennedy appears to be poised to wield substantial influence should Trump win. —Byjocelyn Kaiser, science.org, 30 Oct. 2024

Members of Arkansas' congressional delegation could wield tremendous influence in the next Congress. —Alex Thomas, arkansasonline.com, 3 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English welden to control, from Old English wieldan; akin to Old High German waltan to rule, Latin valēre to be strong, be worth

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

wield

verb

ˈwē(ə)ld 

1

: to put (as a tool) to good use

wield a broom

2

: to use one's authority by means of

wield influence

wielder noun