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

• 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

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

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