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 of wield

• exert
• use
• apply

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

The 2018 Russian World Cup was a vehicle for President Vladimir Putin to project prestige while wielding a staggering crackdown on civil society and LGBT rights. — Minky Worden, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Small, highly motivated factions therefore wield outsized influence over who wins office. — J.c. Polanco, New York Daily News, 17 July 2026

Unlike Mamdani, whom Platner has often been lazily compared to, and who wielded social media to novel and wildly fruitful ends, Platner is not as much of a digital native, and is a far less polished poster. — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 15 July 2026

As in the game sequel’s back half, the show will pivot somewhat away from Ellie’s (Bella Ramsey) journey and focus more on Kaitlyn Dever’s 9-iron-wielding antihero Abby. — Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026

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

Rhymes for wield

• heald
• healed
• heeled
• keeled
• kneeled
• pealed
• peeled
• reeled
• sealed
• shield
• squealed
• steeled

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