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
Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 14 Mar. 2026
Charles Du Bois, the late midcentury architect most remembered for infusing ranch-style homes with Asian and Polynesian influences, left his mark across Southern California.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2026
Were Fidel Castro’s efforts to free his people from the degrading influences of foreigners meant to be erased by a president who, instead of allowing Cuba to struggle with its problems, added to them by cutting its oil supply?
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026
After Ike’s parents divorced when Ike was 6 and his father moved to Atlanta, his mother, Angela, thought her children needed good influences and submitted their names to Big Brothers Big Sisters.
—Taylor Batten, Charlotte Observer, 13 Mar. 2026
Those dishes—and the loving way that 82 Queen prepares them—helped popularize and define Lowcountry cuisine, which uniquely blends the African, French, Caribbean, and Anglo-Saxon influences that have shaped the area.
—Chelsea Brasted, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
Those influences have helped shape an improbable career.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
Predating midcentury-modern aesthetics, Art Deco drew influences from Art Nouveau, the Bauhaus school, and Cubism.
—Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 10 Mar. 2026
Iranian-American Sara Mardanbigi and husband Edgar Rico operate one of the best restaurants in Austin, with Persian influences showing up in the occasional dish and pop-up event.
—Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
Zev Fima, CNBC, 8 Mar. 2026
Daily exposure to sunlight helps regulate your circadian rhythm, which influences sleep quality, insulin sensitivity, appetite, and glucose (sugar) control.
—Brittany Poulson, Verywell Health, 7 Mar. 2026
Hurley Arbibe agrees, noting that the mineral and microbial content of soil influences the vitamin, mineral and antioxidant levels of fruits, vegetables, and grains.
—Hannah Coates, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2026
Of the many style influences Carolyn Bessette Kennedy left us with, one of the most recognizable is her famous sunny blonde hair.
—Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 5 Mar. 2026
In another study published in October 2025, Kucker and her colleagues found the caregivers’ temperaments, and that of their child’s, influences digital media use and thereby language learning.
—Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 2 Mar. 2026
The data shows that responsible management today directly influences water availability tomorrow.
—Claire Marks, Austin American Statesman, 2 Mar. 2026
Its design showcased the Mediterranean and Colonial Revival influences common in Reynolds’ work and in Florida school architecture of the 1920s, which emphasized regional forms adapted to climate as well as community use.
—Sarah M. Boye, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2026
This sensibility influences their coverage of thornier topics, such as tech governance and regulation.
—Diego Lasarte, New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2026
Noun
The seven-bedroom, seven-bath home reflects his love for handcrafted materials and modernist influences, especially from Frank Lloyd Wright and Mexican architect Luis Barragán.
—Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 14 Mar. 2026
Charles Du Bois, the late midcentury architect most remembered for infusing ranch-style homes with Asian and Polynesian influences, left his mark across Southern California.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2026
Were Fidel Castro’s efforts to free his people from the degrading influences of foreigners meant to be erased by a president who, instead of allowing Cuba to struggle with its problems, added to them by cutting its oil supply?
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026
After Ike’s parents divorced when Ike was 6 and his father moved to Atlanta, his mother, Angela, thought her children needed good influences and submitted their names to Big Brothers Big Sisters.
—Taylor Batten, Charlotte Observer, 13 Mar. 2026
Those dishes—and the loving way that 82 Queen prepares them—helped popularize and define Lowcountry cuisine, which uniquely blends the African, French, Caribbean, and Anglo-Saxon influences that have shaped the area.
—Chelsea Brasted, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
Those influences have helped shape an improbable career.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
Predating midcentury-modern aesthetics, Art Deco drew influences from Art Nouveau, the Bauhaus school, and Cubism.
—Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 10 Mar. 2026
Iranian-American Sara Mardanbigi and husband Edgar Rico operate one of the best restaurants in Austin, with Persian influences showing up in the occasional dish and pop-up event.
—Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
Investors leverage this report to measure tightness in the labor market, which influences expectations around wage inflation; in a hot labor market, businesses need to pay up to attract talent, but when there are way more job-seekers than openings, less financial incentives are needed.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 8 Mar. 2026
Daily exposure to sunlight helps regulate your circadian rhythm, which influences sleep quality, insulin sensitivity, appetite, and glucose (sugar) control.
—Brittany Poulson, Verywell Health, 7 Mar. 2026
Hurley Arbibe agrees, noting that the mineral and microbial content of soil influences the vitamin, mineral and antioxidant levels of fruits, vegetables, and grains.
—Hannah Coates, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2026
Of the many style influences Carolyn Bessette Kennedy left us with, one of the most recognizable is her famous sunny blonde hair.
—Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 5 Mar. 2026
In another study published in October 2025, Kucker and her colleagues found the caregivers’ temperaments, and that of their child’s, influences digital media use and thereby language learning.
—Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 2 Mar. 2026
The data shows that responsible management today directly influences water availability tomorrow.
—Claire Marks, Austin American Statesman, 2 Mar. 2026
Its design showcased the Mediterranean and Colonial Revival influences common in Reynolds’ work and in Florida school architecture of the 1920s, which emphasized regional forms adapted to climate as well as community use.
—Sarah M. Boye, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2026
This sensibility influences their coverage of thornier topics, such as tech governance and regulation.
—Diego Lasarte, New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for influences
Noun
-
Through intimate observational footage, letters read in voiceover, archival footage of their lives before the war, De Pue shows the devastating and lasting effects of war on the lives of the protagonists.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Pistole also warned that extended shutdowns can have permanent and lasting effects on the workforce.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
What follows is how a rise in oil prices affects us.—
Allen Buchanan,
Oc Register,
14 Mar. 2026
-
How the war affects the overall state and national economies remains to be seen, with economists not in agreement.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
OneTeam Partners negotiates media deals and leverages players’ name, image and licensing rights.—
David Carrillo Peñaloza,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Vance Joseph’s defense in Denver is often predicated on playing certain leverages within man coverage.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The worst commercial nuclear accident in US history was contained and ultimately had only very minor health impacts on the surrounding area.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Ed tech proponents say this argument is too simplistic, and point to other analyses that find mixed or modest positive impacts from digital instruction.—
Tyler Kingkade,
NBC news,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Nearly four years later, durability is what impresses her most.—
Bailey Berg,
Architectural Digest,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Luria added that sentiment might improve for Big Tech if a new AI model is released that particularly impresses people, reigniting faith in the potential for strong returns.—
Davis Giangiulio,
CNBC,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
At the time, authorities attributed Epstein’s death to suicide, an assessment that the FBI reiterated last year.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Batten, Evetts, Hill, Morris, Rueda, Elizabeth Soto and Ines Soto face sentences ranging from a minimum of 10 years to a maximum of 60 years, authorities said.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated March 13,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
His fastball barely touches 80.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
As the name suggests, Pritzker Prize-winning architect David Chipperfield is spearheading the design of the 25-story tower, combining modern Miami touches with classic European elegance.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Economists said the tame core CPI readings were unlikely to translate into moderate core PCE inflation gains in February because of different weights and unexpected strength in services prices in the January Producer Price Index report.—
Reuters
Wire Service,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Mar. 2026
-
So pushing with my back foot, all my weights on my front foot.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Influences.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/influences. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
