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

Walking through the doors of Valkyrie Arms Training in Meridian, you are greeted by a large mural of 19th century women on the Western frontier, dressed in period gowns and gazing into the distance — and wielding firearms. — Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 25 July 2026

The study’s explicit inclusion of visitors’ perceptions of utility, and particularly the idea that visitors seem to actually respond to recommendations, raises the question of how museums should wield this power over the visitor experience. — Mureji Fatunde-Iloeje, ArsTechnica, 25 July 2026

The latter two heat waves have been caused by a thick ridge of high pressure — dubbed a heat dome by the weather service — that has wielded influence for weeks. — Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 24 July 2026

Semafor first reported, back in November, that Mamdani had tapped Khan as an informal adviser to wield the city’s consumer-protection power. — Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 23 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