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wield
- pronunciation:
- wild
| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| inflections: |
wielded, wielding, wields |
| definition 1: |
to handle and use (a weapon, tool, or the like), esp. with power or control.
She'd had plenty of practice, and she knew how to wield a gun.The crowd moved back as the man wielded the baseball bat.His father had taught him how to wield an axe.- synonyms:
- ply
- similar words:
- brandish, flourish, handle, manage, manipulate, operate, use
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| definition 2: |
to exert or use (influence, power, or the like).
He wields authority with a heavy hand.The duke wielded a great deal of influence at court.- synonyms:
- exert
- similar words:
- apply, employ, exercise, use
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| related words: |
struggle, work |
| derivations: |
wieldable (adj.), wielder (n.) |
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