wield

verb

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 credentialsG. W. Bonham
wielder noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Under Thomson, Caleb Cotham and Kevin Long have wielded significant influence over how the pitching and hitting departments are run throughout the organization. Matt Gelb, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025 China wields disproportionate influence over downstream industries with its dominance of the complex separation and refining capacity. Dave Smith, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2025 The film takes place in 1954 almost exclusively over the course of one evening at a party thrown by the newly wed Hedda who wields literal and figurative weapons for her own personal amusement and potential financial gain. Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025 The incident on one hand shows how one beverage brand can wield the power to quietly unify a country—while also revealing how vulnerable that unity is to mere technological frameworks. Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wield

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of wield was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wield.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wield. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

wield

verb
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

More from Merriam-Webster on wield

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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