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

Democrats in the previous cast of early states are going to find new opportunities to wield their clout with a field that could easily number in the dozens. — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2026

Crane and senior adviser Jeff Bagwell still wield considerable influence in baseball operations matters, a setup that all prospective candidates must already understand. — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

The goal of such a system, often used in combination with elections, was to prevent excessive influence and nepotism, and shore up trust in the system of government and those who wielded power through it. — Esther King, The Dial, 15 Sep. 2026

The bow-wielding heroine of Brave spends the film rejecting the idea that a princess has to be anything other than herself. — Sarah Scott, Parents, 14 Sep. 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