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
Knowledge is power, as the saying goes, and knowledge wielded to dismantle empire and systems of oppression is dangerous to imperialism and capitalism.
—Sahar Mustafah
august 27, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025
On the night of April 10, 1999, Marconi and Miley were both shot by an assailant wielding a rifle, who confronted them outside Marconi's home, the Philadelphia Police Department said at the time.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2025
Mira wields a gokdo from the Goguryeo era, and Zoey possesses a shinkal from the Joseon era.
—Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025
The political quibble came after Christie, a former U.S. attorney and two-time Republican presidential primary opponent of Trump, joined a chorus of critics accusing the president of wielding the Justice Department as his personal legal representative.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wield
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Sahar Mustafah
august 27, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025
On the night of April 10, 1999, Marconi and Miley were both shot by an assailant wielding a rifle, who confronted them outside Marconi's home, the Philadelphia Police Department said at the time.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2025
Mira wields a gokdo from the Goguryeo era, and Zoey possesses a shinkal from the Joseon era.
—Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025
The political quibble came after Christie, a former U.S. attorney and two-time Republican presidential primary opponent of Trump, joined a chorus of critics accusing the president of wielding the Justice Department as his personal legal representative.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 26 Aug. 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 3 Sep. 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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