sphere of influence

noun phrase

: a territorial area within which the political influence or the interests of one nation are held to be more or less paramount

Examples of sphere of influence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

Despite their military presence and clashing interests, Turkey and Israel have a quiet understanding where each accepts the other's sphere of influence in the country and try to deconflict. —

Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2026 By then, Orion had travelled beyond the lunar sphere of influence, where the moon's gravitational pull is stronger than that of the Earth. —

Anthony Wood, Space.com, 13 Apr. 2026 By Tuesday afternoon, the Orion capsule exited the lunar sphere of influence. —

Denise Chow, NBC news, 11 Apr. 2026 The mix offers a road map through the sphere of influence that has shaped her perspective as a musician and DJ, gathering recent hits and new exclusives from friends and contemporaries along with four new originals. —

Matthew Ismael Ruiz, Pitchfork, 7 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sphere of influence

Word History

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of sphere of influence was in 1885

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

sphereless

sphere of influence

spheric

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Sphere of influence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sphere%20of%20influence. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.

Copy Citation