wielded; wielding; wields
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
G. 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
For example, Goldman Sachs, with a recent share price of $911 and market value of $276 billion, wields more than 10 times the influence of Cisco Systems, with its recent share price of $78 and market value of $308 billion.
—The Motley Fool, Dallas Morning News, 4 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
Another member of that inner circle is Vladimir Padrino López, the longstanding head of the nation's Armed Forces, who wields enormous power.
—David Unsworth, FOXNews.com, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wield
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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The Motley Fool, Dallas Morning News, 4 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
Another member of that inner circle is Vladimir Padrino López, the longstanding head of the nation's Armed Forces, who wields enormous power.
—David Unsworth, FOXNews.com, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wield
Cite this Entry
“Wield.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wield. Accessed 7 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
wield
verb1
: to put (as a tool) to good use
wield a broom
2
: to use one's authority by means of
wield influence
wielder
noun
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