Synonyms of influential

influential

adjective

ˌin-(ˌ)flü-ˈen(t)-shəl 

1

as in authoritative

having power over the minds or behavior of others

in light of the effect that they have had, religious leaders such as Jesus and Muḥammad must be regarded as among the most influential people ever

Synonyms & Similar Words

• authoritative
• important
• dominant
• forceful
• dominating
• predominant
• eminent
• cogent
• weighty
• controlling
• momentous
• supreme
• masterful
• sovereign
• regnant

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weak
• helpless
• unable
• powerless
• incapable
• impotent

2

as in powerful

having great power or influence

a particularly influential politician got the team a new ballpark

Synonyms & Similar Words

• powerful
• significant
• important
• strong
• prominent
• potent
• senior
• mighty
• distinguished
• top
• famous
• outstanding
• celebrated
• great
• heavy
• notable
• dominant
• effective
• renowned
• capable
• prestigious
• puissant
• efficient
• illustrious
• high-level
• competent
• heavy-duty
• notorious
• able
• robust
• noteworthy
• eminent
• famed
• dynamic
• vigorous
• authoritarian
• autocratic
• energetic
• despotic
• dictatorial
• noble
• tyrannical
• forceful
• magisterial
• preeminent
• high-powered

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• insignificant
• unimportant
• little
• weak
• powerless
• helpless
• impotent
• feeble
• unknown
• obscure
• infirm
• flimsy
• frail
• anonymous
• ineffective
• nameless
• incompetent
• incapable
• unfit
• unskilled
• unqualified
• inept
• uncelebrated
• inexpert
• unskillful

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of influential

He is considered one of the most influential filmmakers in the horror and genre spaces of all time. — Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2026

The influential Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano issued a blistering condemnation of auto racing after the 1958 death of Italy's Luigi Musso, who was driving for Ferrari. — ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026

Huerta's resolve cemented her place in history as one of the nation's most influential labor leaders, civil rights icons and feminist activists. — CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026

See his portraits—and relive the concert’s joyous celebration of one of musical theater’s most groundbreaking and influential works—below. — Vogue, 27 Oct. 2026