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

Like Peyton, Jordon Hudson is considerably younger than her partner and rumored to wield controversial influence on and off the field. —Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025

Graham McTavish is no stranger to wielding a sword on big and small screens. —Reshma Gopaldas, IndieWire, 4 Dec. 2025

Kessler, via his examination of the trial’s second witness, rehashed the text message exchange among the three officials to try to demonstrate how NASCAR’s board was wielding monopsonistic power in the negotiations. —Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 3 Dec. 2025

The case strikes at the heart of how much power the president can wield under emergency authorities, with billions of dollars in duties and consumer prices hanging in the balance. —Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025

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