wield
Americanverb (used with object)
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wields,
present (3rd person singular)
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wielded,
past participle, past
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wielding
present participle
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to exercise (power, authority, influence, etc.), as in ruling or dominating.
-
to use (a weapon, instrument, etc.) effectively; handle or employ actively.
- Synonyms:
- control, manipulate
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Archaic. to guide or direct.
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Archaic. to govern; manage.
verb
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to handle or use (a weapon, tool, etc)
-
to exert or maintain (power or authority)
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obsolete to rule
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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wieldsimple
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wieldssimple
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have wieldedperfect
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has wieldedperfect
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am wieldingprogressive
-
are wieldingprogressive
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is wieldingprogressive
-
have been wieldingperfect progressive
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has been wieldingperfect progressive
Past
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wieldedsimple
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had wieldedperfect
-
was wieldingprogressive
-
were wieldingprogressive
-
had been wieldingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of wield
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”
Explanation
If you wield a tool or a weapon, you handle it effectively. Picture a gallant knight wielding a sword or a skillful chef wielding a whisk. You don't just have to wield something physical; you can also wield or exert influence or authority. Wield is frequently followed by the word power. If you were a king, you could wield great power in your kingdom — exerting your influence over everything from food rations to castle upkeep. As it is, though, you might just wield power over your pet goldfish. Note: wield follows the i before e, except after c spelling rule.
Vocabulary lists containing wield
"The Odyssey" by Homer, Books 1–7
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100 SAT words Beginning with W,X,Y, and Z
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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.
See Examples For:
But even if they can, right now it is hard to see how they'll ever be able to wield the muscle that they once did.
From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026
You need to believe that you can wield control over your choices and resist outside forces that try to influence you.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 18, 2026
Agencies don’t wield the same kind of power they used to.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026
It’s fair to note that large public corporations can wield considerable political influence on their own behalf.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026
From experience, they knew that for the next two hours Mr. Muhammad would wield his two-edged sword of truth.
From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey
In the popular imagination, a Viking is tall, broad-shouldered man who wields a sword, and might have a modern haircut like a skin fade or lots of tattoos.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 23, 2026
The network’s legal department now clearly wields a veto over its newsroom and primetime opinion stars.
From Salon ● Jul. 22, 2026
Although the Akal Takht has no constitutional authority over elected governments, it wields immense religious influence among Sikhs.
From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026
“Best and Last’s” flashbacks are a walloping reminder that Knoxville is inimitable: a telegenic and extroverted entertainer with a charisma he wields like a skunk aims its stink.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 2026
This painting shows peasants toiling in a field while an overseer wields a staff.
From "An Indigenous People’s History of the United States" by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
The researchers cannot determine exactly what happened or who wielded the weapon.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 31, 2026
That has led to the release of internal emails, corporate documents and whistleblower testimony that personal injury lawyers and prosecutors across the country have wielded to make their case.
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026
In Malta, home to 70,000 offshore companies and the headquarters of some of the world’s largest gambling groups, she wielded her pen against ministers and businessmen.
From Barron's ● Sep. 3, 2026
Raman, first elected to council in 2020, countered that she is just one out of 15 council members and lacks the power wielded by Bass.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026
No other blade, not though mightier hands had wielded it, would have dealt that foe a wound so bitter, cleaving the undead flesh, breaking the spell that knit his unseen sinews to his will.
From "The Return of the King" by J.R.R. Tolkien
During a wine grape strike in the Central Valley, Huerta and other UFW women once locked arms in a human blockade between the union’s male picketers and replacement workers wielding two-by-fours.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2026
Each of the seven will have equal say on wielding the founders’ vote in Anthropic decisions.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2026
John was taught that Green Lanterns must be fearless beings capable of focusing and wielding their will.
From Salon ● Oct. 5, 2026
“Agency” is wielding power and autonomy in choosing how to live; “belonging” is forging social ties with others; and “cause” is serving a higher purpose.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 18, 2026
He had been getting better at wielding weaponry, and had even drawn forth mild admissions of approval from Goddard.
From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman
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