as in exerting
to bring to bear especially forcefully or effectively
wields considerable influence in the field of women's sports
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of wielding
The final shot of the trailer appears to be the Tin Man wielding an ax, though the blade of his weapon is out of frame.
—
Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Jan. 2026
Under Maduro, Cabello has remained a central pillar of the regime, wielding power less through formal titles than through loyalty networks within the armed forces, intelligence services and ruling party.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
Trump had promised to pardon the insurrectionists, who were willing to do almost anything to keep people like me from wielding power.
—Zach Fisch, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
The number of doomsday weapons and the number of countries wielding them threatens to grow.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
Two men were killed in 2024 by other inmates wielding makeshift weapons, according to the Justice Department.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026
Beijing continued wielding the rare earth weapon, securing further concessions from the president at the October summit with Xi.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 3 Jan. 2026
Pro-government youths wielding automatic rifles set up roadblocks or sped through the streets on motorcycles, a warning to those who might celebrate Maduro’s downfall.
—Mery Mogollon, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026
Published with our TechLine newsletter, Rendering will examine how artificial intelligence is disrupting the entertainment industry, taking you inside key battlegrounds and spotlighting change makers wielding the technology for good and ill.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025
Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Jan. 2026
Under Maduro, Cabello has remained a central pillar of the regime, wielding power less through formal titles than through loyalty networks within the armed forces, intelligence services and ruling party.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
Trump had promised to pardon the insurrectionists, who were willing to do almost anything to keep people like me from wielding power.
—Zach Fisch, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
The number of doomsday weapons and the number of countries wielding them threatens to grow.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
Two men were killed in 2024 by other inmates wielding makeshift weapons, according to the Justice Department.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026
Beijing continued wielding the rare earth weapon, securing further concessions from the president at the October summit with Xi.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 3 Jan. 2026
Pro-government youths wielding automatic rifles set up roadblocks or sped through the streets on motorcycles, a warning to those who might celebrate Maduro’s downfall.
—Mery Mogollon, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026
Published with our TechLine newsletter, Rendering will examine how artificial intelligence is disrupting the entertainment industry, taking you inside key battlegrounds and spotlighting change makers wielding the technology for good and ill.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wielding
Verb
-
If rates rise unexpectedly, those low initial payments can balloon, exerting pressure on household budgets just as the broader economy absorbs the impact.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Ice plains can prompt fast retreat because as the glacier thins, the ice starts to rise up and water pushes underneath into its crevasses, exerting pressure and causing large slabs to break off — in a process called calving.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Privacy and partners Lenovo built Qira using a hybrid AI architecture.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Kansas City officials approved the initial funding for the temporary facility in October, using funds from the public safety sales tax.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Regularly applying sealer to your grout and keeping the area clean is your best chance at preventing mold and mildew growth along your grout.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
10 Jan. 2026
-
My hair feels brittle, my skin is dry from the cold weather, and my makeup is not applying right.—
Kaitlin Clapinski,
InStyle,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wielding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wielding. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share