1
as in sway
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 effect
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 to affect
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of influence
Lydia Mee, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Continue reading … OPINION THOR MORTENSEN – China's malign influence touches every aspect of US life.
—FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Marcus K. Dowling, Nashville Tennessean, 2 Oct. 2025
Click here to find out how Miami history influenced the newsletter’s title.
—Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for influence
Noun
His vision, leadership and big personality shaped so much of what makes Talladega special, and his influence will continue to be felt every race weekend for generations to come.
—Lydia Mee, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Continue reading … OPINION THOR MORTENSEN – China's malign influence touches every aspect of US life.
—FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
The artists whose soulful beats and heartfelt music permeate Music City's streets and influence its most significant creative forces now regularly take to its most renowned and visible stages, unimpeded.
—Marcus K. Dowling, Nashville Tennessean, 2 Oct. 2025
Click here to find out how Miami history influenced the newsletter’s title.
—Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for influence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for influence
Noun
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Past patterns suggest that when a president’s approval dips below 50 percent, their party may face setbacks in congressional contests, especially in battleground areas where independents and moderates hold sway.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Whether Hamas chooses this route will likely depend on whether its political leaders, mostly in Turkey and Qatar, hold sway over its fighters on the ground.—
Hussein Ibish,
The Atlantic,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
LogoPowered byScale logo As the federal government shutdown has dragged into its seventh day, questions remain around how long-lasting the effects of service suspensions and funding cuts could be.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
8 Oct. 2025
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Tropical storm conditions are possible in portions of the northern Leeward Islands late Thursday and Friday, where Tropical Storm Watches are in effect.—
MIAMI HERALD HURRICANE BOT,
Miami Herald,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Driving through deep water can also affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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The hikes will affect Priority Mail Express (PME), Priority Mail (PM), USPS Ground Advantage, and Parcel Select.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But amid the chaos of the postseason, no one really cares about the soundness of your logic in using an opener, pitching to this hitter with first base open or going to that reliever in a high-leverage situation.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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The armed group controls tens of thousands of acres of coca plantations and has gained significant political leverage as President Gustavo Petro’s Administration scrambles to secure agreements with armed groups critical to advancing Colombia’s broader peace talks and anti-narcotics efforts.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The show was marred only by an audio mix that dimmed Coleman’s evocative voice amid a wash of instruments — at least from this reviewer’s spot in the Fox — but the Red Clay Strays’ impact shone through nevertheless.—
Brian McCollum,
Freep.com,
5 Oct. 2025
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Tennessean photo journalist Andrew Nelles was recognized with a first place award in environmental photography by the 2025 Green Eyeshade awards for a collection of photos documenting the impacts of Hurricane Helene, which ravaged parts of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina.—
Nashville Tennessean,
Nashville Tennessean,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Harley, 24, is a superstar in his own right, finishing seventh in Norris Trophy voting last year and impressing for Team Canada at the 4 Nations Face-off.—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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However, Sixta said her students have always impressed her with their intelligence and insight far beyond what can be taught in a textbook.—
Ilana Arougheti
Updated October 7,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The federal government argued that the lower courts were circumventing the power of the justices and improperly limiting the authority of the Department of Homeland Security.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
4 Oct. 2025
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Unions of federal workers including the American Federation of Government Employees; the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; and the AFL-CIO have filed a lawsuit arguing Trump doesn't have the authority to lay off workers and dismantle agencies during a shutdown.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Influence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/influence. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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