wield

verb

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 credentialsG. W. Bonham
wielder noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These and other existential questions speak to the outsized impact that AI will wield. Mark A. Cohen, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025 His most admirable characters rebel against the bureaucratic and corporate systems that wield human beings as tools. Rav Grewal-Kök june 16, Literary Hub, 16 June 2025 In the wake of Mattel's massive success with Barbie, Masters of the Universe is now set at Amazon MGM Studios, with Galitzine wielding the Power Sword. Shania Russell, EW.com, 15 June 2025 Oprah Winfrey, Connie Chung, and Bette Midler offer telling recollections of the subtle ways that Walters wielded her power. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for wield

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of wield was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wield.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wield. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

wield

verb
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

More from Merriam-Webster on wield

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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