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 of wield

• exert
• use
• apply

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

Lord’s video is shot from the back seat of a car cruising down Sunset, the camera tracking other street ads beyond the windshield, centering a lasso-wielding Marlboro Cowboy, a Star Wars movie billboard, and one for the box-office flop Perfect (1985), starring Jamie Lee Curtis and John Travolta. —Jonathan Odden, Artforum, 2 June 2026

Trump’s Big Tech backers, who coalesced behind him in the 2024 elections, continue to wield influence within the White House on AI and tech policy. —Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 1 June 2026

There are arguments each one in terms of the same themes of power and agency and wielding that. —Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 30 May 2026

Since its formation in the 1980s in response to an Israeli invasion, Hezbollah has become an integral part of the Lebanese state and wields considerable power in the country. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 29 May 2026

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

Rhymes for wield

• heald
• healed
• heeled
• keeled
• kneeled
• pealed
• peeled
• reeled
• sealed
• shield
• squealed
• steeled

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