wield

verb

\ ˈwēld

wielded; wielding; wields

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

3a : 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

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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

Two days later, his family said, rifle-wielding special police agents wearing black masks stormed into their home in the Caracas slum of La Vega, pulled him outside and shot him to death. — Fabiola Sanchez, The Seattle Times, "Deadly crackdown stokes fear among protesters in Venezuela," 20 Feb. 2019 Here are the brushes makeup artists recommend for achieving a perfectly contoured look every time, plus their tips on how to wield them like an expert. 1. — Tiffany Dodson, SELF, "The 4 Makeup Brushes You Need to Master Foundation and Contouring," 10 Oct. 2018 His teammate, Alexander Rossi, also possessed a top-notch car and was wielding it well after nabbing the pole position earlier Sunday morning. — Jim Ayello, Indianapolis Star, "Insider: After so many close calls, Ryan Hunter-Reay savors that winning feeling," 3 June 2018 Any woman with a shred of power in Gilead wields it with the consent of the men around them, and it can be taken away instantly. — Rena Gross, Billboard, "12 Big Revelations From 'Handmaid's Tale' Season 2, Episode 7," 30 May 2018 SustainUS While politicians congratulate themselves for addressing the climate crisis with the Paris Climate Agreements, the fossil industry is still able to wield access and power in the negotiating spaces at the UN. — Maia Wikler, Teen Vogue, "5 Youth-Led Climate Justice Groups Helping to Save the Environment," 28 Mar. 2019 Newsletter Sign-up Mr. Barr’s confirmation unites a forceful advocate of executive power with a president who has shown a willingness to wield that power in unconventional ways. — Sadie Gurman, WSJ, "Senate Confirms William Barr as Attorney General," 14 Feb. 2019 Eminem didn’t have the same problem; his familiar breathless adenoidal bark was sharp enough to wield as a mirror as well as a weapon. — Marc Hirsh, BostonGlobe.com, "The sky was the only limit in a strong finish to Boston Calling," 28 May 2018 Mulakkal was the official patron of her community, the Missionaries of Jesus, wielding immense influence over its budgets and job assignments. — Tim Sullivan, The Seattle Times, "AP finds long history of nuns abused by priests in India," 1 Jan. 2019

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.