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

Advocating For Policy Changes Businesses wield considerable influence and can advocate for policies that promote digital equity. —Sumeet Grover, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024

Traditionally, a handful of prestigious journals have wielded significant control over which research gets published. —Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 25 Dec. 2024

And as much as states have tried to wield their autonomy on the issue in recent years, Trump's return could signal wider executive action on it, especially after a Biden administration that has made attempts to act on it as well. —Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 24 Dec. 2024

Those images rapidly spread across the internet and, in some cases, were wielded as a tool for extortion. —Andrew R. Chow, TIME, 23 Dec. 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