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
The European Commission froze billions of euros in funds for Hungary in response to democratic backsliding led by Orbán, and concern lingers about the damage that can be done when one unhappy government insists on wielding its veto.
—ABC News, 15 June 2026
Roaring and grunting, his body sleek with blood and sweat, Conan tussles and grapples with a series of opponents, dominating them all, while an audience of torch-wielding vulgarians shouts and howls at the pit’s lip.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
The deal largely returns to a status that existed before the war, but with thousands of people dead and Iran wielding a new source of negotiating pressure with its ability to influence transits of the strait.
—Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
And wielding a knife at the still-attacking dogs, Donnell Smith frantically called 911 and tried to stop the bleeding from Cowan’s neck, court records show.
—Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for wield
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ABC News, 15 June 2026
Roaring and grunting, his body sleek with blood and sweat, Conan tussles and grapples with a series of opponents, dominating them all, while an audience of torch-wielding vulgarians shouts and howls at the pit’s lip.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
The deal largely returns to a status that existed before the war, but with thousands of people dead and Iran wielding a new source of negotiating pressure with its ability to influence transits of the strait.
—Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
And wielding a knife at the still-attacking dogs, Donnell Smith frantically called 911 and tried to stop the bleeding from Cowan’s neck, court records show.
—Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for wield
Cite this Entry
“Wield.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wield. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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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