wield

[ weeld ]
See synonyms for: wieldwieldedwielding on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
  1. to exercise (power, authority, influence, etc.), as in ruling or dominating.

  2. to use (a weapon, instrument, etc.) effectively; handle or employ actively.

  1. Archaic. to guide or direct.

  2. Archaic. to govern; manage.

Origin of wield

1
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”

Other words for wield

Other words from wield

  • wield·a·ble, adjective
  • wield·er, noun
  • un·wield·a·ble, adjective

Words that may be confused with wield

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use wield in a sentence

  • In beauty thou art the most beautiful of all that exists, O Rudra, the strongest of the strong, thou wielder of the thunderbolt!

  • Arjun, wielder of gandiva, was for us no truer stay Than was Karna for the Kurus in the battle's dread array!

    Maha-bharata | Anonymous
  • The sledge-wielder pours out more strength and certitude and joy in every blow than do you in your whole sheaf of songs.

  • O wielder of the bow with the left hand, O thou of mighty arms, thou wert a god before, eternal (as other gods).

  • But the wielder of the Pinaka, having borne that shower of arrows for a moment, stood unwounded, immovable like a hill.

British Dictionary definitions for wield

wield

/ (wiːld) /


verb(tr)
  1. to handle or use (a weapon, tool, etc)

  2. to exert or maintain (power or authority)

  1. obsolete to rule

Origin of wield

1
Old English wieldan, wealdan; related to Old Norse valda, Old Saxon waldan, German walten, Latin valēre to be strong

Derived forms of wield

  • wieldable, adjective
  • wielder, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012