wields

Wields is the third-person singular present tense of the verb wield. To wield means to handle or use something—especially a weapon, tool, or instrument—with skill, control, or purpose. It can also mean to exercise power, influence, or authority over people or situations. The object of wield is typically concrete (a sword, a hammer) or abstract (influence, authority, power).

Usage notes include that wield is usually transitive and appears in formal or narrative contexts. The related noun forms are wielding (the act) and wielder (the person who wields). The sense of the word ranges from practical handling of equipment to the exertion of political or social power, with tone largely determined by the context.

Common collocations include wield a weapon, wield a tool, wield power, wield influence, and wield authority. In both historical and contemporary writing, the verb can convey precision and agency, or assertive control, depending on how it is framed.

Etymology traces wield to Old English wealdan, meaning to rule or govern, with related Germanic terms. Over time, the sense broadened from governing or controlling to the more general act of handling objects or exercising power. The word remains widely used across literature, journalism, and discourse to describe skillful or forceful application of force, resources, or influence.