wield
verb (used with object)
to exercise (power, authority, influence, etc.), as in ruling or dominating.
have wielded
-
present perfectof wield.present perfect
Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
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.
Effective altruism and its fears that AI could wipe out humanity have wielded big influence at Anthropic.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 27, 2026
Most alarmingly, courts have wielded the statute to crush lawsuits that accuse social media companies of negligently providing a defective product.
From Slate ● Mar. 30, 2026
Over the last century, Southern California’s cities have wielded their financial and political clout to secure water supplies.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2025
Musk even admitted he shouldn’t have wielded that chainsaw because it lacked empathy.
From Salon ● Jul. 2, 2025
In the hands of Providence, other lands in other times have taken up painting and sculpture with their whole might, and have wielded them to advance civilization.
From The Continental Monthly, Vol. 2, No. 1, July, 1862 by Various
