wield /wiːld/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[ Language: Old English ; Origin: wieldan ]
1 . wield power/influence/authority etc to have a lot of power or influence, and to use it:
The Church wields immense power in Ireland.
2 . to hold a weapon or tool that you are going to use:
She had her car windows smashed by a gang wielding baseball bats.
• • •
THESAURUS
■ to use your power or your rights
▪ exercise formal to use your rights, authority, influence etc:
Only 40% of the poulation exercised their right to vote.
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Congress must decide whether to exercise its veto.
▪ wield /wiːld/ formal to use great power or influence:
The central banks wield enormous power.