wield

verb \ ˈwēld \

Updated on: 24 Apr 2018

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

Beyond the internet, merchants sell them from behind counters at spiritual shops called botanicas, filled with herbs, incense, candles, oils, and scythe-wielding statues of Santa Muerte, the goddess of death.

— National Geographic, "Inside the Black Market Hummingbird Love Charm Trade," 18 Apr. 2018
There are plenty of billionaires in the US who wield incredible political power.

— z. byron wolf, CNN, "Russia's oligarchs are different from other billionaires," 6 Apr. 2018
Those people care about what the network is like, arguing endlessly over who participates in them, who wields power in them, and what their ideal form would look like.

— robinson meyer, The Atlantic, "What Motivated the YouTube Shooter?," 4 Apr. 2018
Texas business leaders plan to trek to Capitol Hill this month to meet with lawmakers who can stop some changes to NAFTA and who wield power over the president’s future trade negotiating authority.

— andrea drusch, star-telegram, "Trump’s NAFTA threats test Texas clout in Washington | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 4 Apr. 2018
Perhaps their stories will prove to be irrelevant to the 2018 Warriors, who certainly wield as much talent and experience as most of the juggernauts that came before them.

— mike finger, San Antonio Express-News, "History says Warriors could be due for letdown," 2 Apr. 2018
Which makes sense, since plow-wielding snowcats are what the ski resorts, state governments, and the Bureau of Land Management use to make those trails.

— matthew jancer, Popular Mechanics, "The Ice-Kicking Glory of the Snowcat," 5 Mar. 2018
Corporations wield a unique power in setting the tone of the Twittersphere, too.

— inkoo kang, Slate Magazine, "@Wendys Is Negging You," 5 Jan. 2018
At the very least, Harrison Ford, age 75, will not be expected to return as the whip-wielding adventurer.

— megan farokhmanesh, The Verge, "Indiana Joan Jones is the female lady heroine that women need," 5 Apr. 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.