influential

1 of 2

adjective

in·​flu·​en·​tial ˌin-(ˌ)flü-ˈen(t)-shəl How to pronounce influential (audio)
: exerting or possessing influence
influentially adverb

influential

2 of 2

noun

: one who has great influence

Examples of influential in a Sentence

Adjective His theories have become more influential in recent years. My parents have been the most influential people in my life.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The jazz musician has been an influential figure in van Gorp’s breakdance career, his smooth sound and freewheeling rhythms a constant source of inspiration for each new routine. George Ramsay, CNN, 5 Mar. 2024 No one has been most influential — no one has been more influential or meaningful to my success on the field or my career than Stoutland. Brendan Le, Peoplemag, 4 Mar. 2024 Jonas is at least as influential and groundbreaking as her near contemporary Marina Abramović, 77, but has somehow never achieved quite the same name recognition. Susan Dominus Emiliano Granado, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2024 In reviewing works dating back to the 1930s and running through three historical eras of motion-capture science, the researchers studied projects that were influential in how scientists of the time understood the movement of body segments. IEEE Spectrum, 1 Mar. 2024 But some influential groups have sided with one of the challengers, Yvette Townsend-Ingram, over one of the incumbents, Pat Cotham. Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 29 Feb. 2024 Momentum to end legacy admissions – the practice of a college giving preferential admissions treatment to the children of its alumni – continues to build as more states consider legislation to ban the practice, and an influential higher education figure speaks out against it. Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Like many, Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel was hugely influential to Zimmer growing up. Michaela Zee, Variety, 29 Feb. 2024 Epstein hired a team of influential lawyers, among them Alan Dershowitz, Kenneth Starr and Roy Black. Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 29 Feb. 2024
Noun
The pattern began in the Russian leader’s earliest days, when Boris A. Berezovsky, an oligarch influential in Mr. Putin’s rise, ran afoul of him and fled, treated for years as a public enemy before his death in Britain in 2013 under murky circumstances. Paul Sonne, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2023 As the president of Hillsdale College in Michigan, a small school influential in modern conservative thought, Arnn had grown accustomed to books and letters from Republican strivers. Matt Flegenheimer, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2022 But in the two months since the law went into effect, many of the biggest ticket marketplaces in the live industry aren’t following the new law, a state senator influential in its passing says. Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 7 Nov. 2022 Turcer, whose organization is part of a speaker’s bureau in which people talk about the judiciary across the state to increase interest in the influential but often overlooked branch, doesn’t completely write off the Republican justices’ concerns. cleveland, 9 May 2022 Most of them were coached by Brewer, a former Negro Leagues star who became an influential — if often overlooked — part of baseball’s history. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2022 Opposing the legislation is the Association of County Commissions of Alabama (ACCA), which is another powerful organization influential in Montgomery. al, 22 Dec. 2021 For the influential and the politically connected, an empty Carbone’s is a sign of an era passing. Susan Dunne, courant.com, 9 Dec. 2021 The movie tracks the brothers' many ups and downs over the past 50-plus years as an influential (if underrated) act, as Wright brings their stories and sonic reinventions to life through animation. Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 17 June 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'influential.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1570, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1831, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of influential was in 1570

Dictionary Entries Near influential

Cite this Entry

“Influential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/influential. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

influential

adjective
in·​flu·​en·​tial
ˌin-(ˌ)flü-ˈen-chəl
: having influence
influentially
-ˈench-(ə-)lē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on influential

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