influence

²influence

verb

influencedinfluenc·ing

Definition of INFLUENCE

transitive verb

1

: to affect or alter by indirect or intangible means

2

: to have an effect on the condition or development of

— in·flu·ence·able \-ən(t)-sə-bəl\ adjective

Examples of INFLUENCE

1. I was deeply influenced by my parents.
2. She claims that her decision to resign was not influenced by her personal problems.
3. No one knows how this decision will influence the outcome of the election.
4. He's accused of illegally attempting to influence the jury.

First Known Use of INFLUENCE

1658

Related to INFLUENCE

Synonyms: impact, impress, ¹affect, move, reach, strike, sway, tell (on), touch

Related Words: carry away, dazzle, enrapture, entrance, enthrall (or enthral), ravish, transport; bias, color; inspire, stir; engage, interest, involve, penetrate, pierce; afflict, agitate, bother, concern, discomfort, discompose, disquiet, distress, disturb, fluster, harass, harry, perturb, pester, plague, smite, strain, stress, trouble, try, upset, worry, wring; allure, attract, bewitch, captivate, charm, enchant, fascinate

Near Antonyms: bore, jade, pall, tire, weary; underwhelm

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See Synonym Discussion at affect