wield
verb (used with object)
to exercise (power, authority, influence, etc.), as in ruling or dominating.
have been wielding
-
present perfect progressiveof wield.present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Squeezed into tightfitting Lycra costumes, they have been wielding oversized pugil sticks, running around floating scaffolds and chasing only slightly less musclebound members of the public up walls, in front of a cheering crowd.
From New York Times ● Mar. 29, 2024
Twitter is trying to thwart billionaire Elon Musk’s takeover attempt with a “poison pill” — a financial device that companies have been wielding against unwelcome suitors for decades.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 15, 2022
Especially since the early 1960s, acoustic guitarists have been wielding their instruments like superpowers — not only as shortcuts to excitement or introspection, but as keys to four millenniums of sound.
From New York Times ● Dec. 22, 2014
Carlucci has hardly set foot in the NSC offices, but his deputies have been wielding sharp axes as they moved to cut the staff from 180 to about 150.
From Time Magazine Archive
Squeezed for cash because of overinvestment and declining earnings, Gulfs chiefs have been wielding a heavy ax to cut costs, jettison losing properties and clear a path out of past mistakes.
From Time Magazine Archive
