wield

verb \ ˈwēld \

|Updated on: 18 Jun 2018

Examples: wield in a Sentence

Definition of wield

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

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

And hate: Tiki torch-wielding white supremacists in Charlottesville, Va. were on the march, and swastika-bearing neo-Nazis paraded the streets.

— dan deluca, Philly.com, "U2 keeps the faith with spectacularly staged 'Experience + Innocence' show at the Wells Fargo Center," 14 June 2018
Ax murder In the summer of 1976, two American soldiers were hacked to death by ax-wielding North Korean soldiers during a fight over U.S. efforts to trim a poplar tree at Demilitarized Zone that bisects the Koreas.

— Time, "From Spy Games to Summits, Here Are 10 Historic Moments in U.S.-North Korean Relations," 11 June 2018
She was mobbed by microphone-wielding reporters, who dubbed her the fastest woman in the world.

— kate siber, Outside Online, "How Wilma Rudolph Became the World’s Fastest Woman," 8 June 2018
The Republican was among four wounded when a rifle-wielding attacker opened fire on Republican lawmakers at an Alexandria, Virginia baseball field last June.

— CBS News, "Rep. Steve Scalise makes return to baseball practice one year after shooting," 6 June 2018
On Monday, the Israeli military said troops killed an axe-wielding Palestinian attempting to cross into Israel from Gaza.

— Bloomberg.com, "Israeli Minister: Gaza Casualties Don't Tell the Story," 4 June 2018
In 2014 a knife-wielding Uighur gang slaughtered 31 travellers at a train station in Kunming, Yunnan province, an incident some in China compared to the September 11th 2001 attacks on America.

— The Economist, "China has turned Xinjiang into a police state like no other," 31 May 2018
Stringer, the principal, used VHF radio to alert other village residents of the knife-wielding man at the school door.

— michelle theriault boots, Anchorage Daily News, "Village residents rushed in to confront man with knife threatening Kotlik school," 15 May 2018
Chris Hemsworth, seen as hammer-wielding superhero Thor in seven Marvel Cinematic Universe films, was announced today as honorary starter for the May 27 race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

— david lindquist, Indianapolis Star, "Indianapolis 500: ‘Thor’ actor Chris Hemsworth will wave green flag," 14 May 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of wield

Middle English welden to control, from Old English wieldan; akin to Old High German waltan to rule, Latin valēre to be strong, be worth

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

wield Synonyms

Synonyms

apply, exercise, exert, ply, put out;

Related Words

employ, use, utilize;

abuse, misapply, misuse;

WIELD Defined for English Language Learners

wield

verb

Definition of wield for English Language Learners

: to hold (something, such as a tool or weapon) in your hands so that you are ready to use it
: to have and use (power, influence, etc.)

WIELD Defined for Kids

wield

verb \ ˈwēld \

Definition of wield for Students

wielded; wielding

1 : to use (as a tool) in an effective way

The knights wielded swords.

2 : ²exercise 1

The banker wields great influence.

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See words that rhyme with wield Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for wield Spanish Central: Translation of wield Nglish: Translation of wield for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of wield for Arabic speakers

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wield

Definition of wield

wielder

Examples of wield in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of wield

wield Synonyms

Synonyms

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WIELD Defined for English Language Learners

wield

Definition of wield for English Language Learners

WIELD Defined for Kids

wield

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