wield power vs wield authority

Both 'wield power' and 'wield authority' are correct phrases in English. They are often used interchangeably to convey the idea of exercising control or influence over others. The choice between 'power' and 'authority' may depend on the specific context or the nuance the speaker wants to convey.

Last updated: March 31, 2024 • 560 views

wield power

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate the act of exercising control, influence, or authority over others.

This phrase is used to describe the action of using power or influence to achieve a particular outcome or to control a situation.

Examples:

The dictator wielded power over the country for decades.
She knew how to wield power in the boardroom.
The CEO wielded power to make important decisions.
He learned to wield power responsibly.
The superhero wielded power to protect the city.

Show examples from the web [+]

So I am offering you a chance to get it back and to wield power over his entire family.
Reunification and a government that can wield power effectively are unlikely prospects.
She was the only human ever known to wield power over vampires.
She was the only human ever known to wield power over vampires.
In the future, those who control the water supply will be those who wield power over people and money.
Not long ago, Aung San Suukyi was again denied permission to leave Rangoon and talk to the supporters of her party, the NLD, a party which won the elections by such a large majority and has never been allowed to wield power.
The belief in the importance of those who wield power over us means creating evil, conjuring it in the dark, transforming oneself into a murderous gland which considers everything its own property.
The belief in the importance of those who wield power over us means creating evil, conjuring it in the dark,
Every day, thousands of times a day, prosecutors around the United States wield power so great that it can bring about catastrophe as quickly as it can bring about opportunity, intervention, support and yes, even love.
I studied the wisdom of the ages! I wield power! I am almighty!
Fundamentalism is a prevailing force among the dominating Arabic people, and particularly among those who wield power and administer justice, with capital punishment, even stoning, for offences including adultery being the worst outward signs of this.
Those who wield power say...
If in the final analysis everyone is a 'speculator' in their own way, the speculative decisions that really matter are at all events taken by professionals, who also wield power in other ways.
To keep legislation complicated and abstruse is to wield power: when people are unable to understand laws they must obey, power falls into the hands of those professionally equipped to interpret the law.
Too many members of former ruling families still wield power.
The warlords are those who now wield power.
Eurlings did not contest Russia's right to work towards market prices for gas deliveries, but felt that the way Russia handled this was unacceptable and showed a desire to wield power over its neighbour.

Alternatives:

exercise power
hold power
command power
possess power
utilize power

wield authority

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate the act of exercising control, influence, or power over others.

This phrase is used to describe the action of using one's official or legal power to make decisions or enforce rules.