wield

play

verb \ ˈwēld \

Definition of wield

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

See wield defined for English-language learners

See wield defined for kids

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 of wield from the Web

One man wields a gun in his left hand, while the other repeatedly places his hand in his waistband.

— faiz siddiqui, Washington Post, "Police continue to search for perpetrator in chilling video of shooting at top of Metro escalator," 30 Aug. 2017
His AEIVA show explores how power is gained, wielded, and contained, and what should be the proper moral response to its abuses.

— birmingham magazine, AL.com, "New art exhibit at UAB explores power and destiny in America," 15 Aug. 2017
In his interpretations of this exuberantly flavorful cuisine, Panicker wields a large arsenal that includes green chilies, peppercorns, cumin, coriander, mustard and fennel seed, cardamom, turmeric and tamarind, just to name a few.

— providence cicero, The Seattle Times, "Spread the word about the great South Indian flavors at Kathakali in Kirkland," 10 Aug. 2017
Iran has deepened economic and military ties with the two other powers that signed the pact, Russia and China, both veto-wielding members of the United Nations Security Council.

— ladane nasseri, Bloomberg.com, "Iran's Options as Trump Targets Nuclear Deal: QuickTake Q&A," 1 Aug. 2017
That Was Promised is supposed to wield a sword called Lightbringer, which some theorists think isn't a sword at all but is just Jaime's hand.

— eliza thompson, Cosmopolitan, "Game of Thrones Is Getting Close to Confirming This Lannister Fan Theory," 1 Aug. 2017
This glimpse inside Esquire's HQ shows what happens when one unassuming but universally popular coffee messenger makes the rounds, wielding a cart of Starbucks Doubleshot coffee beverages (and maybe even a birthday gift or two).

— esquire editors, Esquire, "Meet the Most Valuable Employee in the Esquire Office," 25 July 2017
The latter, wielded by Europeans, has dominated the half millennium since that scrape on the beach.

— The Economist, "Living off the land," 20 July 2017
His recent criticisms of the hard-line judiciary and powerful security forces have prompted public rebukes from the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who wields ultimate authority in Iran.

— erin cunningham, Washington Post, "With U.S. scholar’s conviction, power struggle escalates between Iran’s president and hard-liners," 18 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'wield.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.