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

Speaking with Reuters on Thursday in a Palestinian village, Khanna said his ⁠group’s van was surrounded by settlers wielding M4 rifles a day earlier while touring a part of the southern West Bank where residents face frequent settler attacks. — Reuters, NBC news, 11 July 2026

Speaking with Reuters on July 9 in a Palestinian village, Khanna said his group's van was surrounded by settlers wielding M4 rifles a day earlier while touring a part of the southern West Bank where residents face frequent settler attacks. — Rami Ayyub, USA Today, 11 July 2026

The four settlers were wielding wooden and metal rods and stones. — Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 11 July 2026

The film has proved both controversial and enduring, spawning an eight-film franchise and earning its chainsaw-wielding antagonist, Leatherface, a spot among film’s most iconic horror villains. — Jordana Rosenfeld, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 July 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