influential

1 of 2

adjective

in·​flu·​en·​tial ˌin-(ˌ)flü-ˈen(t)-shəl 

: exerting or possessing influence

influentially

ˌin-(ˌ)flü-ˈen(t)-sh(ə-)lē 

adverb

influential

2 of 2

noun

: one who has great influence

Synonyms of influential

Adjective

• authoritative
• important
• dominant

Examples of influential in a Sentence

Adjective

His theories have become more influential in recent years.

My parents have been the most influential people in my life.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Every June, a stretch of the French Riviera becomes one of the most commercially influential addresses in the world for a week. —Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026

Because they weren’t televised, the TCA Awards were always a fun, pressure-free night for the folks behind some of TV’s biggest shows — and getting recognition from the country’s most influential TV critics and reporters meant something extra special. —Michael Schneider, Variety, 19 June 2026

Noun

That’s not to say other judges won’t find the ruling influential, but it’s already been shown that a ruling for an athlete on eligibility doesn’t guarantee a different athlete’s success in another state. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 9 June 2026

Was working with Jack White influential to how Spaceflight developed? Absolutely. —Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 22 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1570, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1831, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for influential

• credential
• prudential
• sequential
• tangential
• torrential
• circumferential
• inconsequential
• consequential
• deferential
• existential
• exponential
• nonessential

Kids Definition

influential

adjective

in·​flu·​en·​tial

ˌin-(ˌ)flü-ˈen-chəl

: having influence

influentially

-ˈench-(ə-)lē

adverb