1
as in sways
the power to direct the thinking or behavior of others usually indirectly
a mayor who doesn't hesitate to use her influence to get business leaders behind civic improvements
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in effects
the power to bring about a result on another
the basic premise of astrology is that the position of the stars has an influence on human affairs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in affects
to act upon (a person or a person's feelings) so as to cause a response
the news reports of the devastating flood influenced a great many people to make contributions for food and supplies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of influences
Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 16 May 2026
In addition to these external influences, Dini emphasized that long-term domestic instability has left Somalia’s coastline vulnerable, weakening local institutions and lowering the risks for pirate networks.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
And for boys and girls, the shoe options will pull from skate- and surf-inspired influences, while delivering toughness and comfort for active, creative lives.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
Cullins is a songwriter who plays guitar with rhythm and blues, soul, funk, jazz and rock influences.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2026
So there’s all these kind of Andalusian influences as well.
—AFAR Media, 15 May 2026
Novak used his speech to highlight the importance of writers as literary influences and tastemakers.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
Along with Thom Browne, Garcias, a brand blending Colombian, Italian, and American influences, founded by Nicolas Martin Garcia, will also join the schedule for the first time.
—Maliha Shoaib, Vogue, 14 May 2026
While rooted in Kansas City identity, newer collections began incorporating elements that reflect a broader Midwest lifestyle, including workwear and outdoor influences.
—Kansas City Star, 4 May 2026
Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 16 May 2026
Xu notes that as enterprises evaluate how technology influences cost structures, efficiency, and competitive positioning, leadership criteria are evolving alongside them.
—William Jones, USA Today, 12 May 2026
Gomez has been outspoken about the tactics of her colleague Carr, who steers the agency and influences the direction of the FCC’s regulatory Media Bureau.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
That’s a valuable attribute in this climate, when public sentiment often influences internal discourse.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 10 May 2026
Adding more of this hormone influences the markings on their babies’ backs—either bars or stripes—which provide different forms of camouflage in different environments.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 10 May 2026
The look, including logos, packaging and anything else a customer sees before experiencing the product, influences the customer’s decision.
—Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
This perspective influences every element of the record.
—Boutayna Chokrane, Pitchfork, 7 May 2026
Poverty influences reproductive decisions Money is another important factor in people’s reproductive choices.
—Gretchen E. Ely, The Conversation, 5 May 2026
Noun
The film blends psychological thriller elements with transhumanist themes and body horror influences.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 16 May 2026
In addition to these external influences, Dini emphasized that long-term domestic instability has left Somalia’s coastline vulnerable, weakening local institutions and lowering the risks for pirate networks.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
And for boys and girls, the shoe options will pull from skate- and surf-inspired influences, while delivering toughness and comfort for active, creative lives.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
Cullins is a songwriter who plays guitar with rhythm and blues, soul, funk, jazz and rock influences.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2026
So there’s all these kind of Andalusian influences as well.
—AFAR Media, 15 May 2026
Novak used his speech to highlight the importance of writers as literary influences and tastemakers.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
Along with Thom Browne, Garcias, a brand blending Colombian, Italian, and American influences, founded by Nicolas Martin Garcia, will also join the schedule for the first time.
—Maliha Shoaib, Vogue, 14 May 2026
While rooted in Kansas City identity, newer collections began incorporating elements that reflect a broader Midwest lifestyle, including workwear and outdoor influences.
—Kansas City Star, 4 May 2026
Verb
The study found that locomotion strongly influences handedness patterns across primates.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 16 May 2026
Xu notes that as enterprises evaluate how technology influences cost structures, efficiency, and competitive positioning, leadership criteria are evolving alongside them.
—William Jones, USA Today, 12 May 2026
Gomez has been outspoken about the tactics of her colleague Carr, who steers the agency and influences the direction of the FCC’s regulatory Media Bureau.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
That’s a valuable attribute in this climate, when public sentiment often influences internal discourse.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 10 May 2026
Adding more of this hormone influences the markings on their babies’ backs—either bars or stripes—which provide different forms of camouflage in different environments.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 10 May 2026
The look, including logos, packaging and anything else a customer sees before experiencing the product, influences the customer’s decision.
—Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
This perspective influences every element of the record.
—Boutayna Chokrane, Pitchfork, 7 May 2026
Poverty influences reproductive decisions Money is another important factor in people’s reproductive choices.
—Gretchen E. Ely, The Conversation, 5 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for influences
Noun
-
Advocates said the effects would be felt by communities most in need of medical providers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 May 2026
-
However, there are occasional visual flourishes, like the beginning and end of each stage resembling sketches, and the backgrounds featuring light pencil lines and watercolor effects, hinting that the game takes place in a storybook.—
Will Greenwald,
PC Magazine,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Cambria executives say the disease affects workers at countertop businesses that cut raw slabs on the cheap without the necessary protections, and that its workers cut the product safely.—
Maria Aspan,
NPR,
17 May 2026
-
Cancer affects one in four people around the world.—
Bettina Zilkha,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
Recipient of 15 Grammy or Latin Grammy nominations (with one win), the Havana native built a career that leverages and celebrates her music’s Cuban country/folk roots.—
Bill Kopp,
SPIN,
13 May 2026
-
Swarming technology leverages distributed AI to enable autonomous coordination and decision-making.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
The project’s developer subsequently withdrew the data center use at the last minute during the March meeting, after community pushback over possible environmental and health impacts.—
Hema Sivanandam,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
-
While El Niño can bring a cooler, stormier than normal summer to the Great Lakes, its strongest impacts are usually felt during winter as the pattern peaks.—
David Yeomans,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Today, the park impresses with its modern engineering and renowned aesthetics.—
Zachary Laks,
Travel + Leisure,
15 May 2026
-
More than just its scale, though, the project impresses with its use of recycled materials, including everything from wind turbine blades to old windows.—
Adam Williams
May 09,
New Atlas,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Health authorities said Congo has stockpiles of Ebola treatments and approximately 2,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine, though officials cautioned the vaccine is only effective against the Ebola Zaire strain and not against Sudan or Bundibugyo variants.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
-
After undergoing several procedures, Fernandez-Delgado is doing well and continuing to recover at home, authorities say.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
All of this goes down before even one Louboutin touches the surgically clean white marble floor or ultra-plush Yves Klein blue carpet within the monumental lobby.—
Melinda Sheckells,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
-
Other notable moments include the return of the original theme song, sung by Raya Yarbrough; the closing of the loop from the pilot episode, showing Jamie was the man outside Claire’s window watching her; and the beautiful forget-me-nots growing near the stones after Jamie touches one.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Motorists advised to get oil changes sooner as certain weights become scarce.—
Byron Hurd,
The Drive,
13 May 2026
-
The host does his best to incorporate weights, jumping exercises, and cardio.—
Allison DeGrushe,
StyleCaster,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Influences.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/influences. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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