wield

verb

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 credentialsG. W. Bonham
wielder noun

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
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.
Luke trains Leia in the ways of the Force Sometime after the events of the fall of the Empire, Luke Skywalker trains his Force-sensitive sister in the ways of the Jedi in secret, including how to wield a lightsaber. Nick Romano, EW.com, 25 May 2025 That’s a quite disturbing possibility since AGI could wield such an act on a scale of immense magnitude and with globally adverse consequences. Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025 On Orange Is the New Black, Big Boo, a butch lesbian, wields her strap-on in a flashback scene. Mikelle Street, Them., 23 May 2025 President Trump is continuing to wield tariffs as a club to try to force American companies to manufacture their products in the United States. Todd Spangler, Variety, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for wield

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of wield was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wield.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wield. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

wield

verb
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

More from Merriam-Webster on wield

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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