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

The pic featured Morris and Michaels in a kitchen, with Michaels seated at a table and Morris standing atop the table and wielding a chainsaw. —Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 21 June 2024

There will always be bad actors who want to wield new technology in a manner that may not respect the intellectual property or data privacy rights of customers or the public. —Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 20 June 2024

The unidentified suspect, described only as being in her 20s, was wielding a knife and threatening family members, police said. —Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2024

But 60 years later, no one person wields the same influence in the ongoing fight for racial justice, several panelists said. —Bailey Loosemore, The Courier-Journal, 12 June 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