wielding

[weel-ding]

adjective

1. exercising power, authority, influence, etc..

   Russia is a veto-wielding member of the UN Security Council.

   Discussion focused on the accountability of power-wielding institutions.

2. using or actively handling a weapon, instrument, etc..

   A torch-wielding group of nationalists gathered around the statue for a nighttime protest.

noun

1. the act of exercising power or authority or of using or handling a weapon, instrument, etc..

   Many programs have fallen to the government’s ceaseless wielding of the budget-cutting knife.

Word History and Origins

Origin of wielding¹

First recorded in 1575–85; wield ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; wield ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun sense

Example Sentences

Instead, he is wielding the unspoken threat of dissolving parliament and calling snap parliamentary elections—yet again—to coerce lawmakers that he believes are largely reluctant to face voters.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Macron had been wielding the unspoken threat of dissolving the National Assembly and holding parliamentary elections after his latest prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, abruptly resigned Monday amid bickering over his cabinet choices.

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Critics, however, say the election will not be free and fair, allowing the military to continue wielding unchecked power in the country.

Read more on BBC

She was assisted by 10 other chefs in red uniforms wielding long wooden spoons to stir the food.

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Working with a group of assistants wielding massive wooden spatulas, Baci's crowning dish was later distributed for everyone to enjoy.

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Related Words

• charge 
• handling 
• management 
• manipulation 
• oversight 
• plan 
• policy 
• strategy 
• transaction 
• treatment