wielded; wielding; wields
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
G. 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
From Afghan women wielding mobile phones against Taliban rule, to Gaza’s first para-cycling team, and Iran’s cosmetic industry paradox, urgent portraits of resilience and survival dominated pitches at the 21st Lau Haizetara Documentary Co-Production Forum, part of the San Sebastián Festival.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 26 Sep. 2025
Dual katanas are strong against polearms while odachis specialize in taking down adversaries wielding heavy weapons.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
Milei, who took office in 2023, is a hardline libertarian known for wielding a chainsaw during campaign events — a not-so-subtle symbol of his pledge to cut through regulations and slash government spending.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2025
One Battle After Another is full of pointed little moments like that, details that are at first funny — Lockjaw’s too-tight shirts, a group of separatists’ badly done face tattoos — but ultimately convey contempt for people who wield their power exclusively to hurt others.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wield
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Callum McLennan, Variety, 26 Sep. 2025
Dual katanas are strong against polearms while odachis specialize in taking down adversaries wielding heavy weapons.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
Milei, who took office in 2023, is a hardline libertarian known for wielding a chainsaw during campaign events — a not-so-subtle symbol of his pledge to cut through regulations and slash government spending.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2025
One Battle After Another is full of pointed little moments like that, details that are at first funny — Lockjaw’s too-tight shirts, a group of separatists’ badly done face tattoos — but ultimately convey contempt for people who wield their power exclusively to hurt others.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wield
Cite this Entry
“Wield.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wield. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
wield
verb1
: to put (as a tool) to good use
wield a broom
2
: to use one's authority by means of
wield influence
wielder
noun
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