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
Tariffs are being wielded by this administration as leverage to force reciprocity, extract critical concessions, or safeguard national interests.
—Steve Banker, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Allegations of corruption have been wielded against some of the country’s top officials, including several close allies of Zelensky – such as former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 23 July 2025
Democrats still wield the legislative filibuster over government funding bills, but shutdown fights aren’t exactly in their DNA.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 22 July 2025
It was wielded by David Prowse, who plays Darth Vader on screen (James Earl Jones famously provided the iconic villain’s voice) and his stunt double Bob Anderson.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for wield
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Steve Banker, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Allegations of corruption have been wielded against some of the country’s top officials, including several close allies of Zelensky – such as former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 23 July 2025
Democrats still wield the legislative filibuster over government funding bills, but shutdown fights aren’t exactly in their DNA.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 22 July 2025
It was wielded by David Prowse, who plays Darth Vader on screen (James Earl Jones famously provided the iconic villain’s voice) and his stunt double Bob Anderson.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for wield
Cite this Entry
“Wield.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wield. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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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