influence

play

noun in·flu·ence \ˈin-ˌflü-ən(t)s, especially Southern in-ˈflü-\

Definition of influence

1a : an ethereal fluid held to flow from the stars and to affect the actions of humansb : an emanation of occult power held to derive from stars
2 : an emanation of spiritual or moral force
3a : the act or power of producing an effect without apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of commandb : corrupt interference with authority for personal gain
4 : the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways : sway
5 : one that exerts influence

under the influence

: affected by alcohol or drug intoxication was arrested for driving under the influence

See influence defined for English-language learners

See influence defined for kids

Examples of influence in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of influence from the Web

Mr. Trump’s tendency to treat each leak as an attack rather than an attempt to influence policy has created an atmosphere in Washington of open institutional conflict.

— amanda taub and max fisher, New York Times, "As Leaks Multiply, Fears of a ‘Deep State’ in America", 16 Feb. 2017
(Two officials said that at one recent meeting, there was talk of feeding suggested Twitter posts to the president so the council’s staff would have greater influence.)

— david e. sanger, eric schmitt and peter baker, New York Times, "Turmoil at the National Security Council, From the Top Down", 12 Feb. 2017
But even beyond the ban, executives and government officials expect Mr. Trump to be a disruptive influence on air travel.

— christine negroni, New York Times, "Travel Ban Could Be Just the Beginning of Upheaval for Airlines", 8 Feb. 2017
Martinez was later arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

— staff report, Houston Chronicle, "Humble Marine Enrico Rojo laid to rest", 7 Jan. 2017
The stellar financial results come as Samsung faces an investigation linking it to an influence-peddling scandal that led to the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye.

— the associated press, ajc, "Samsung's profit jumps 50 percent despite Galaxy fiasco", 5 Jan. 2017
As early as 2014, the Segye Ilbo newspaper reported on an intelligence document alleging influence-peddling by Ms. Choi’s family.

— choe sang-hun and motoko rich, New York Times, "A History of Favors", 2 Jan. 2017
State police in Connecticut said 51 people were arrested on driving-under-the-influence charges and troopers issued nearly 900 speeding tickets during a five-day increased enforcement effort around the Thanksgiving holiday.

— Honolulu Star-Advertiser, "Air travel normal as Thanksgiving holiday weekend winds down", 27 Nov. 2016
However, Mr. Christie’s influence in the Trump camp appears to be waning.

— eric lichtblau, New York Times, "Trump Camp Refuses to Close Door on Campaign Pledge to ‘Lock Her Up’", 12 Nov. 2016

These 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.

The Surprising History of Influence and Its Modern Use

Influence may seem like a ho-hum word, but its history is heavenly.

The word first referred to a celestial fluid that was believed to flow from the stars. As this fluid reached the Earth, it supposedly affected the actions of the planet's inhabitants—especially the human ones. (The word influenza has the same origin: the Medieval Latin word influentia. It was for a time believed that epidemics were caused by unusual conjunctions of the planets.)

In modern use, the noun typically refers to the power to change or affect someone or something—especially the power to cause changes without directly forcing those changes to happen. Influence can also refer to a person or thing that affects someone or something in an important way.

The noun had been in use for more than 200 years before the verb use developed. As a verb, influence typically means "to affect or change someone or something in an indirect but usually important way." Something or someone that influences a person or thing, then, has an influence on that person or thing.

Origin and Etymology of influence

Middle English, from Old French, from Medieval Latin influentia, from Latin influent-, influens, present participle of influere to flow in, from in- + fluere to flow — more at fluid

NEW!

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of influence

influence, authority, prestige, weight, credit mean power exerted over the minds or behavior of others. influence may apply to a force exercised and received consciously or unconsciously. used her influence to get the bill passed authority implies the power of winning devotion or allegiance or of compelling acceptance and belief. his opinions lacked authority prestige implies the ascendancy given by conspicuous excellence or reputation for superiority. the prestige of the newspaper weight implies measurable or decisive influence in determining acts or choices. their wishes obviously carried much weight credit suggests influence that arises from the confidence of others. his credit with the press

influence

verb in·flu·ence

Definition of influence

influenced

;

influencing

transitive verb
1 : to affect or alter by indirect or intangible means
2 : to have an effect on the condition or development of

influenceable

play \ˈin-ˌflü-ən(t)-sə-bəl\ adjective

See influence defined for English-language learners

Examples of influence in a Sentence

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 of influence from the Web

The finding represents the best evidence to date of how sizable taxes on sugary drinks, increasingly favored by large American cities, may influence consumer behavior.

— margot sanger-katz, New York Times, "Sales Fall Again in Mexico’s Second Year of Taxing Soda", 22 Feb. 2017
More recently, Mr. Trump’s election prompted an outcry over whether Facebook influenced the American electorate with false stories on its site.

— mike isaac, New York Times, "Facebook’s Zuckerberg, Bucking Tide, Takes Public Stand Against Isolationism", 16 Feb. 2017
An impressive cast of younger artists influenced by Seurat arrive, some taking up his style: Pablo Picasso, Pierre Bonnard, Lucien Pissarro and the American Maurice Prendergast.

— roberta smith, New York Times, "Cirque du Seurat at the Metropolitan Museum of Art", 16 Feb. 2017
The intelligence agencies then sought to learn whether the Trump campaign was colluding with the Russians on the hacking or other efforts to influence the election.

— michael s. schmidt, mark mazzetti and matt apuzzo, New York Times, "Trump Campaign Aides Had Repeated Contacts With Russian Intelligence", 14 Feb. 2017
The grounds of Sanssouci remained a country retreat for the Prussian court even after Frederick’s death, in 1786, and influenced themed architecture across the city.

— giulia pines, CNT, "Why a Visit to Berlin Should Include a Day Trip to Potsdam", 20 Jan. 2017
Trump also acknowledged Russia's role in hacking intended to influence the U.S. election.

— michael a. memoli, latimes.com, "Trump attacks media outlets that detailed unverified Russia allegations, calling them 'fake news'", 11 Jan. 2017
Critics say that could leave Trump vulnerable to foreign governments that could try to influence him by rewarding or punishing his business interests in their countries.

— associated press, latimes.com, "If Rex Tillerson becomes secretary of State, he'll get $180-million Exxon retirement package", 4 Jan. 2017
Russian officials have denied the Obama administration’s accusation that the highest levels of the Russian government were involved in trying to influence the U.S. presidential election.

— Honolulu Star-Advertiser, "Obama retaliates against Russia for election hacking", 29 Dec. 2016

First Known Use of influence

1658

Synonym Discussion of influence

affect, influence, touch, impress, strike, sway mean to produce or have an effect upon. affect implies the action of a stimulus that can produce a response or reaction. the sight affected her to tears influence implies a force that brings about a change (as in nature or behavior). our beliefs are influenced by our upbringing touch may carry a vivid suggestion of close contact and may connote stirring, arousing, or harming. plants touched by frost his emotions were touched by her distress impress stresses the depth and persistence of the effect. only one of the plans impressed him strike, similar to but weaker than impress, may convey the notion of sudden sharp perception or appreciation. struck by the solemnity of the occasion sway implies the acting of influences that are not resisted or are irresistible, with resulting change in character or course of action. politicians who are swayed by popular opinion

INFLUENCE Defined for English Language Learners

influence

play

noun

Definition of influence for English Language Learners

: 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

verb

Definition of influence for English Language Learners

: to affect or change (someone or something) in an indirect but usually important way : to have an influence on (someone or something)

INFLUENCE Defined for Kids

influence

play

noun in·flu·ence \ˈin-ˌflü-əns\

Definition of influence for Students

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, Esperanza Rising
2 : a person or thing that has an indirect but usually important effect She's a bad influence on him.

influence

play

verb in·flu·ence

Definition of influence for Students

influenced

;

influencing

: to affect or change in an indirect but usually important way I was influenced by my parents.

Law Dictionary

influence

noun in·flu·ence

Legal Definition of influence

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

influencer

noun

under the influence

: affected by alcohol or another intoxicant was arrested for driving under the influence

influence

transitive verb in·flu·ence

Legal Definition of influence

influenced

influencing

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 Comm'n, 130 S. Ct. 876 (2010)
2 : to have an effect on the condition or development of