1
as in sways
the power to direct the thinking or behavior of others usually indirectly
a mayor who doesn't hesitate to use her influence to get business leaders behind civic improvements
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in effects
the power to bring about a result on another
the basic premise of astrology is that the position of the stars has an influence on human affairs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in affects
to act upon (a person or a person's feelings) so as to cause a response
the news reports of the devastating flood influenced a great many people to make contributions for food and supplies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of influences
Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Apr. 2026
Country music has long evolved by absorbing new influences.
—Amelia Edelman, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2026
The Lonely Island is one of the single biggest influences on our sketch comedy.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2026
San Antonio is a city abundant with taquerias and restaurants with Mexican and Tex-Mex influences.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
The video, co-directed by Langley with Wales Toney and Caylee Robillard, highlights Texas culture through scenes of two-step dancing, live music and rodeo influences tied to the city's Western heritage.
—S.e. Jenkins, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Learn more about the science behind viruses, allergies, vaccines, exercise, and many other influences on people’s health.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Volatility influences aspects such as funding rates, liquidation thresholds and margin needs.
—Felysha Walker, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2026
In the aughts and 2010s, when the Riches were cooking in New York City, Asian influences were becoming conventional at high-end restaurants following the rise of influential chefs like David Chang and David Bouley, who rallied behind Japanese cuisine.
—Cesar Hernandez, San Francisco Chronicle, 27 Mar. 2026
Abby McCloskey, Boston Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Traders came into 2026 forecasting several cuts to the Fed’s benchmark interest rate, which influences rates for mortgages and other loans.
—Damian J. Troise, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
This is due to the noise level on an airplane, which influences a human's perception of taste.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 2 Apr. 2026
The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note, which influences borrowing costs across the economy, has jumped on concerns of inflation risks from higher energy costs and lower odds of the Federal Reserve cutting rates in 2026.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026
For Lia Yildiz, a 25-year-old from Poland, Indiana, she was motivated to push back against the billionaire class that influences politicians' decision-making.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 30 Mar. 2026
The time of year also influences gas prices, as demand for fuel rises during warmer months.
—Grace Manthey, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
But the market also influences Trump.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 27 Mar. 2026
This connection endlessly—even subconsciously—influences the music Stephan makes.
—Outside Online, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
By accounting for how the rotating plasma core influences flows at the edge of the magnetic field, scientists can now predict exhaust behavior with more accuracy.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Apr. 2026
Country music has long evolved by absorbing new influences.
—Amelia Edelman, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2026
The Lonely Island is one of the single biggest influences on our sketch comedy.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2026
San Antonio is a city abundant with taquerias and restaurants with Mexican and Tex-Mex influences.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
The video, co-directed by Langley with Wales Toney and Caylee Robillard, highlights Texas culture through scenes of two-step dancing, live music and rodeo influences tied to the city's Western heritage.
—S.e. Jenkins, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Learn more about the science behind viruses, allergies, vaccines, exercise, and many other influences on people’s health.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Volatility influences aspects such as funding rates, liquidation thresholds and margin needs.
—Felysha Walker, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2026
In the aughts and 2010s, when the Riches were cooking in New York City, Asian influences were becoming conventional at high-end restaurants following the rise of influential chefs like David Chang and David Bouley, who rallied behind Japanese cuisine.
—Cesar Hernandez, San Francisco Chronicle, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
That consequently influences much of the rest of the curriculum.
—Abby McCloskey, Boston Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Traders came into 2026 forecasting several cuts to the Fed’s benchmark interest rate, which influences rates for mortgages and other loans.
—Damian J. Troise, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
This is due to the noise level on an airplane, which influences a human's perception of taste.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 2 Apr. 2026
The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note, which influences borrowing costs across the economy, has jumped on concerns of inflation risks from higher energy costs and lower odds of the Federal Reserve cutting rates in 2026.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026
For Lia Yildiz, a 25-year-old from Poland, Indiana, she was motivated to push back against the billionaire class that influences politicians' decision-making.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 30 Mar. 2026
The time of year also influences gas prices, as demand for fuel rises during warmer months.
—Grace Manthey, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
But the market also influences Trump.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 27 Mar. 2026
This connection endlessly—even subconsciously—influences the music Stephan makes.
—Outside Online, 25 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for influences
Noun
-
And Spandrel’s tower isn’t the only building seeing the effects of low vacancy rates.—
Desiree Mathurin
April 8,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
-
In 2025, Polis directed OEDIT and state agencies to analyze the effects of tariffs across key industries, finding widespread cost increases, planning challenges, and market disruptions for Colorado businesses.—
Jessica Alvarado Gamez,
Denver Post,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Avoid Transplant Shock Transplanting a hydrangea at the wrong time of year stresses the plant and affects the next bloom.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
5 Apr. 2026
-
In 2010, the Hamden mother was diagnosed with sarcoidosis, an inflammatory disease that affects the lungs and lymph nodes.—
Katy Golvala,
Hartford Courant,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Beyond extending flight time, the shift to hydrogen leverages the laws of physics to improve drone reliability.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Mar. 2026
-
OneTeam Partners negotiates media deals and leverages players’ name, image and licensing rights.—
David Carrillo Peñaloza,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But unlike most of the country, real estate agents in the Bay Area aren't fully feeling the impacts.—
Brad Hamilton,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The nearly six-week-long war in Iran may be occurring thousands of miles away from NATO headquarters, but its impacts are reverberating throughout Europe in the form of ballooning fuel prices and the risk of energy shortages.—
Daniel DePetris,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The streak certainly impresses goaltender Scott Wedgewood.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Offensive line impresses Despite starting tackle Ryan Hughes and left guard Cade Bennett being held out of practice, TCU’s offensive line had a strong opening day of camp.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
An 18-year-old man was arrested on Friday for a deadly shooting that happened in Victorville over the weekend, according to San Bernardino County authorities.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Iraqi authorities are continuing the search for American journalist Shelly Kittleson who was kidnapped March 31 on a busy street in central Baghdad, Reuters reported.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Becky Shaw touches something tender and doesn't stop there.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The restaurant doesn’t represent a single Asian cuisine but touches many cultures, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese and Indonesian among them.—
Connie Ogle,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Just steps away, the adjacent fitness center is well-equipped and even includes water weights.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Katzenback recommends four sets of five repetitions with heavy weights to stimulate bone growth.—
Hadia Zainab,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Influences.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/influences. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
