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

Other Word Forms

• wieldable adjective
• wielder noun
• unwieldable 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

These dynamics leave crucial decisions in the hands of a few advisory firms that wield disproportionate influence over the trajectory of corporations while operating with minimal accountability.

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Most of the largest companies were publicly traded, and smaller and private companies wielded little influence on the overall economy.

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And while the United Arab Emirates and Qatar wield influence, they play far less of a regional leadership role.

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But in the past few decades those people have become embarrassed by the idea of moral authority, or that they should wield it.

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She described the former movie mogul as a man who would wield his formidable size as part of a larger display of power that scared people from speaking out.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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