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

The clowns on Autumn’s socks are wearing gruesome smiles and wielding wickedly sharp knives, as if threatening me to be emotionally vulnerable.

Read more on Literature

With the U.S. and China increasingly wielding their economic powers to coerce allies and adversaries alike, European leaders also think a regulatory rollback will help the region’s economy reduce its dependence on both.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It said China is wielding its economic leverage—through ports, logistics hubs and surveillance outposts—for greater military access and security influence.

Read more on Barron's

It said China is wielding its economic leverage—through ports, logistics hubs and surveillance outposts—for greater military access and security influence.

Read more on Barron's

The ultrawealthy are wielding their growing fortunes to glide through a rarefied realm unencumbered by the inconveniences of ordinary life.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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