plural influences
1
: the power to change or affect someone or something : the power to cause changes without directly forcing them to happen
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/wielded his influence to reform the company's policies.
She was under the influence of drugs. [=she was affected by drugs]
He came under the influence of new ideas [=he was influenced by new ideas] when he went away to college.
She has remained under the influence of her parents.
—often + on, upon, or over
She claims that her personal problems played/had no/little 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.
His health problems had a big influence on his decision.
They exert a strong cultural/economic influence over their neighbors in the region.
2
: a person or thing that affects someone or something in an important way
My parents have been major influences in my life.
Emily Dickinson has been a major influence on his poetry.
Her parents are concerned that her new friends may be a bad influence on her.
The decision was affected by outside influences.
influences; influenced; influencing
: to affect or change (someone or something) in an indirect but usually important way : to have an influence on (someone or something)
I was deeply/greatly 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.
—sometimes followed by to + verbNo one knows what may have influenced them to commit these crimes.
Cite this Entry
“Influence.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/influence. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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