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

But critics have said for years that Yermak had accumulated too much power and wielded excessive influence over Zelenskyy. —Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 28 Nov. 2025

Mary Dick, advocacy and engagement director for the MLK Center, said the center views literacy as a civil rights issue because it’s been wielded to disenfranchise people of color throughout American history. —Tory Basile, IndyStar, 28 Nov. 2025

Credible deterrence would require the United States to wield less-than-massive retaliatory options, including more robust conventional capabilities and even tactical nuclear weapons for battlefield use. —Big Think, 27 Nov. 2025

Ellison does not have a formal role at the studio but wields significant influence there as a major shareholder and the father of CEO David Ellison. —Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 26 Nov. 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