wield
wield
Definition
wield (wēld)
transitive verb
- to handle and use (a tool or weapon), esp. with skill and control
- to exercise (power, influence, etc.)
- Obsolete to govern or rule
Etymology: ME welden, blend of OE wealdan & wieldan, with form < the latter: akin to Ger walten < IE base *wal-, to be strong > L valere, to be strong
wield′er noun
wield
Synonyms
wield
v.
wield
Usage Examples
Object
- sword: Have you ever wished you could wield a sword with the same.. .
- ax: Where would you wield the ax in order to save the Library?
- maniac: A crazed machete wielding maniac attacked children in St. Luke's Infants School, Blakenhall.
- paintbrush: But he is equally adept wielding a paintbrush: in his spare time, he is a keen amateur artist.
- machete: We could tell by the way the drivers were getting out wielding machetes.
- scalpel: The person wielding the scalpel is likely to gain most from the experience.
Preposition: as
Modifying Another Word
- still: There is no doubt that the leaders of the world's eight largest economies still wield enormous power.
- actually: No. Go for the possible: the men who had actually wielded the knives or fired the guns.
- often: Historically, husbands have often wielded great power over their wives.
- now: Many people have long suspected that many multi-national organizations now wield more power than national governments.
- already: You must continue the treatment with a hand already wielding five giant talons.
- also: I hadn't been certain whether I should go on first or second - the first act also wielding a guitar.
Used with why or when
- when: I guess that's the power you wield when you're one of the world's greatest player.
- what: At this point Anselm wields what is perhaps his most controversial premise.
Preposition: in
- hand: The weapon must be wielded in both hands at all times to either cause damage or to parry.
- world: Questions What different sorts of power can people wield in the modern world?
Preposition: of
- power: But the challenges inherent in the wielding of power presented some of our internal oppositionists with the opportunity to ratchet up the rhetoric.
- weapon: Dual wielding of weapons is present and correct, as is the painfully pitiful ability to store sod all ammo.
Preposition: with
- hand: It is a long wooden rod, wielded with two hands, the upper half of which is covered with studded iron strips.
Browse dictionary entries near wield
- Wieland
- Widukind
- widthwise
- width
- widower
- widowbird
- widow's walk
- widow's peak
- widow's mite
- widow's cruse
- wield power or authority
- wieldy
- Wien
- wiener
- Wiener schnitzel
- wienie
- Wiesbaden
- Wiesel
- wife
- Wiffle ball
