to wield power

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to wield power" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of exercising control or influence over others or situations. Example: "The politician was known to wield power with an iron fist, ensuring that his decisions were followed without question."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The Brotherhood did not expect to wield power so soon.

The Economist

At last it is beginning to resemble a government endeavouring to wield power.

The Economist

Increasingly, they want a strong hand — elected by the people — to wield power.

The New York Times

Bigwigs are finding it harder to wield power and harder to hold on to it.

The Economist

One fundamental question of great interest to Washington is how Mr. Xi intends to wield power.

The New York Times

Jefferson was born in 1743, and "he was raised to wield power".

The New York Times - Books

From him, Mr Ozawa learnt how to wield power from out of sight.

The Economist

But you don't need a straight line in order to wield power.

The Guardian - Opinion

Still, the most compelling plots remain those of the subalterns, who are forced to wield power from below.

The New Yorker

His relations with Clay were embittered, as Clay then preferred to wield power as leader of the Whigs in Congress.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The fragmented union structure does indeed allow little groups to wield power out of all proportion to their numbers.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to wield power" when you want to emphasize the active handling of authority, similar to how one might handle a tool or weapon. It is particularly effective in political and historical writing.

Common error

Do not confuse "wield" with "yield". While "to wield power" means to use or handle it, "to yield power" means to give it up or surrender it to someone else.

Linguistic Context

In the analysis provided by Ludwig, "to wield power" functions as a transitive verb phrase. It consists of the infinitive marker "to", the transitive verb "wield" and the direct object "power". In most Ludwig examples, it serves to denote the action of a subject (often a politician or organization) exerting control over an environment or people.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Social Media

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to wield power" is a highly effective and grammatically standard phrase used to describe the active exercise of authority. Ludwig AI highlights its prevalence in top-tier news publications, where it often appears in political and corporate contexts. Unlike passive forms of authority, this phrase emphasizes the handling and application of influence. Writers should be careful not to confuse it with its phonetic opposite, ""to yield power"", which signifies the loss or surrender of control. Given its strong literary and journalistic pedigree, it is an excellent choice for any writing that requires a sophisticated tone when discussing leadership and control.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to exercise power

Standard synonymous alternative emphasizing the active application of authority.

to hold sway

More idiomatic and suggests a broad influence over a particular group or region.

to exert influence

Focuses on soft power and the ability to affect others' decisions indirectly.

to command authority

Highlights the respect and recognition that force others to obey.

to possess authority

Describes the ownership or legitimate right to give orders.

to occupy a position of power

Emphasizes the status or office held rather than the active use of it.

to call the shots

A common informal idiom for being the one who makes the final decisions.

to pull the strings

Informal and metaphorical, implying hidden or manipulative control.

to dictate terms

Specific to scenarios where power is used to force conditions on others.

to leverage strength

Implies using existing advantages to achieve a specific outcome.

FAQs

How to use "to wield power" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe leadership dynamics, such as: "The executive continued "to wield power" long after her official retirement."

What can I say instead of "to wield power"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "to exercise authority", "to hold sway" or "to exert influence".

What is the difference between "to wield power" and "to yield power"?

The two are opposites: to wield is to use it, whereas ""to yield power"" is to surrender it.

Is "to wield power" a formal expression?

Yes, it is considered neutral to formal and is frequently used in professional journalism and academic texts to discuss governance and control.