influence
noun
especially Southern
in-ˈflü- \
Definition of influence
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways : sway
2a : the act or power of producing an effect without apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of command
b : corrupt interference with authority for personal gain
3 : one that exerts influence
4 : an emanation of spiritual or moral force
5a : an ethereal fluid held to flow from the stars and to affect the actions of humans
b : an emanation of occult power held to derive from stars
: affected by alcohol or drug intoxication was arrested for driving under the influence
influence
verbDefinition of influence (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : to affect or alter by indirect or intangible means She attempted to influence his decision. greatly influenced by my parents
2 : to have an effect on the condition or development of Productivity was influenced by worker satisfaction.
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Other words from influence
Verb
\
adjective
Synonyms for influence
Synonyms: Noun
authority, clout, credit, heft, in, leverage, pull, sway, weight
Synonyms: Verb
affect, impact, impress, move, reach, strike, sway, tell (on), touch
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Examples of influence in a Sentence
Noun
Recent years have seen a decline in the company's influence within the industry. Her ideas have gradually gained influence in the company. He used his influence to reform the company's policies. She has remained under the influence of her parents. She claims that her personal problems played no influence upon her decision to resign. His health problems may have had some influence on his decision. Her parents still have a great deal of influence over her. The chairman wields considerable influence over the board's decisions. Her parents are concerned that her new friends may have a bad influence on her. Emily Dickinson has had a major influence on his poetry.Verb
I was deeply influenced by my parents. She claims that her decision to resign was not influenced by her personal problems. No one knows how this decision will influence the outcome of the election. He's accused of illegally attempting to influence the jury.
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Haide Masangcay, 66, of the 3N400 block of Crown Road, Elmhurst, was charged with driving under the influence, improper stopping in the roadway and driving without insurance at 1:36 a.m. July 7 at Grand Avenue and Willow Street. — Graydon Megan, chicagotribune.com, "Elmhurst police blotter: Boy playing Pokemon Go in Wilder Park had sword, two knives," 13 July 2018 When Armenia fell under Russian (and subsequently Soviet) influence, the nation’s toasting traditions inevitably evolved. — Benjamin Kemper, Smithsonian, "Raising a Glass to Armenia’s Elaborate Toasting Tradition," 13 July 2018 Bongwan starts to reevaluate his behavior when confronted with Areum's positive influence, and his transformation provides this sad film with a glimmer of hope. — Ben Sachs, Chicago Reader, "Hong Sang-soo and Kim Min-hee's real-life affair yields a trio of films about infidelity," 12 July 2018 But the influence of entities like the California Coastal Commission — even on areas miles from the coast — is difficult to overcome. — Elizabeth Marie Himchak, Pomerado News, "Real estate expert talks about potential impact of rent control," 12 July 2018 True justice can only be achieved through independence from politics or influence, and that has never been more important than today. — Benjamin Weiser, New York Times, "Architect of Cuomo’s Buffalo Billion Project Is Convicted in Bid-Rigging Scheme," 12 July 2018 Braiding, particularly in cultures with a strong African influence, is a tradition that goes back for generations. — Allure, "25 Gorgeous Black Braided Hairstyles That Will Inspire Your Next Look," 10 July 2018 Russian intelligence gains influence in foreign countries by operating subtly and patiently. — Jonathan Chait, Daily Intelligencer, "Will Trump Be Meeting With His Counterpart — Or His Handler?," 8 July 2018 The California cuisine features a menu of seasonal ingredients with European influences, and the bar program will offer a wine list of more than 150 selections curated by wine buyer and sommelier Nemanja Pejcic. — Carolina Gusman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "No matter how you Poke It, Hillcrest eatery introduces Mexican spin to Hawaiian fare," 5 July 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
The pattern has been influenced by where candidates put their resources, their regional ties, their endorsements and the role of conservative talk radio in Milwaukee, which crusaded for Walker in 2010 and against Trump in 2016. — Craig Gilbert, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "GOP senate primary in Wisconsin already reflects north-south divide within party," 13 July 2018 Her design sensibility is influenced by her best friend and decorator Gail Melikian, who owns the antique store Emma’s Back Porch in Ms. Rafaelian’s hometown of Cranston, R.I. — Candace Taylor, WSJ, "Inside the Many, Many Homes of This Jewelry Billionaire," 12 July 2018 So a lot of my own evolution, personally, when thinking through this, has obviously kind of been influenced by her in this. — Recode Staff, Recode, "Full transcript: Box CEO Aaron Levie on Recode Decode," 11 July 2018 Tamburello’s decision to come back on the show was heavily influenced by his son. — Ale Russian, PEOPLE.com, "MTV's C.T. Tamburello Opens Up About Dad Life and the Craziest Challenge Yet with Final Reckoning," 10 July 2018 These attitudes might also be influenced by how physicians would choose their own care. — Orly Nadell Farber, STAT, "Physicians’ beliefs may override cancer patients’ wishes for end-of-life care, study finds," 9 July 2018 Many of the works on display are influenced by the aesthetic of the Far East, a Cartier fascination that dates back to the earliest years of the company. — Lynn Yaeger, Vogue, "Cartier’s New High Jewelry Collection Is a Banquet of Color," 6 July 2018 These rates are influenced by changing demographics and long-term trends, not just the administration’s policies or short-term economic gains. — Meg Kelly, Washington Post, "Are people ‘coming back off the sidelines’ and into the workforce, as Ivanka Trump says?," 5 July 2018 The patterns can also be influenced by adjusting the ratios of the chemicals involved, much like adjusting a recipe for a cake. — Kevin Davenport, idahostatesman, "O say can you see? The science behind the booms and blooms of Independence Day fireworks," 3 July 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'influence.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for influence
influence
noun
English Language Learners Definition of influence
(Entry 1 of 2)
: the power to change or affect someone or something : the power to cause changes without directly forcing them to happen
: a person or thing that affects someone or something in an important way
influence
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of influence (Entry 2 of 2)
: to affect or change (someone or something) in an indirect but usually important way : to have an influence on (someone or something)
See the full definition for influence in the English Language Learners Dictionary
influence
noun
\
Kids Definition of influence
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : the act or power of causing an effect or change without use of direct force or authority You could move to some other part of Mexico, but … Luis's influence is far-reaching. —Pam Muñoz Ryan,
2 : a person or thing that has an indirect but usually important effect She's a bad influence on him.
influence
verbKids Definition of influence (Entry 2 of 2)
: to affect or change in an indirect but usually important way I was influenced by my parents.
influence
nounLegal Definition of influence
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a : the act or power of producing an effect without any apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of command
b : corrupt interference with authority for personal gain
2 : the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways
3 : one that exerts influence
: affected by alcohol or another intoxicant was arrested for driving under the influence
influence
transitive verbLegal Definition of influence (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : to alter or affect by indirect or intangible means the exemption would allow a conglomerate that owns both a media business and an unrelated business to influence or control the media —Citizens United v. Federal Election Commʼn, 130 S. Ct. 876 (2010)
2 : to have an effect on the condition or development of
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