wield

[ weeld ]

verb (used with object)

1. to exercise (power, authority, influence, etc.), as in ruling or dominating.

   Synonyms: utilize, employ, exert

2. to use (a weapon, instrument, etc.) effectively; handle or employ actively.

   Synonyms: control, manipulate

3. Archaic. to guide or direct.
4. Archaic. to govern; manage.

wield

/ wiːld /

verb

1. to handle or use (a weapon, tool, etc)
2. to exert or maintain (power or authority)
3. obsolete.
   to rule

Derived Forms

• ˈwielder, noun
• ˈwieldable, adjective

Other Words From

• wield·a·ble adjective
• wield·er noun
• un·wield·a·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of wield¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English welden, Old English wieldan “to control,” derivative of wealdan “to rule”; cognate with German walten, Old Norse valda, Gothic waldan; akin to Latin valēre “to be strong, prevail”

Word History and Origins

Origin of wield¹

Old English wieldan, wealdan; related to Old Norse valda, Old Saxon waldan, German walten, Latin valēre to be strong

Example Sentences

Zuraya Hadad instinctively winces as we watch a video of the incident in which her ribs were broken by a masked man wielding a large stick.

From BBC

At that moment, a group of people suddenly appeared, apparently from nowhere, wielding banners and shouting that the BBC were “paedophiles”.

From BBC

Most voters, she went on, aren’t wielding a clipboard and checking off issue boxes.

From Los Angeles Times

“We will pass critical reforms making every executive branch employee fireable by the president,” he said last year, adding: “I will wield that power very aggressively.”

From Los Angeles Times

By sorting truth from deceit, holding the adage that humanity’s greatest weapon is the lie, the Sisterhood wields influence throughout the galactic Imperium by inserting their representatives at the side of every ruler.

From Salon

Related Words

• apply
• brandish
• employ
• exert
• handle
• maintain
• manipulate
• operate
• possess
• swing