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
Members of Arkansas' congressional delegation could wield tremendous influence in the next Congress.
—Alex Thomas, arkansasonline.com, 3 Nov. 2024
The two suspects got out of the car, each wielding firearms, and approached the victims.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 1 Nov. 2024
Images of Trump riding cats while wielding assault rifles or Harris in communist attire have become common political memes, particularly on conservative social media.
—Joshua Dupuy, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
How Chicago’s Teachers’ Union played politics leaving the city in political, financial turmoil
Amber Duke and Niall Stanage discuss the powerful Teachers’ Union in Chicago and its plan to wield that power through the mayor’s office.
—The Hill, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wield 
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.
Alex Thomas, arkansasonline.com, 3 Nov. 2024
The two suspects got out of the car, each wielding firearms, and approached the victims.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 1 Nov. 2024
Images of Trump riding cats while wielding assault rifles or Harris in communist attire have become common political memes, particularly on conservative social media.
—Joshua Dupuy, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
How Chicago’s Teachers’ Union played politics leaving the city in political, financial turmoil
Amber Duke and Niall Stanage discuss the powerful Teachers’ Union in Chicago and its plan to wield that power through the mayor’s office.
—The Hill, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wield
Dictionary Entries Near wield
Cite this Entry
“Wield.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wield. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share