influence 1 of 2

noun

ˈin-ˌflü-ən(t)s How to pronounce influence (audio)
Definition of influencenext
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

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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

influence

2 of 2

verb

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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word influence distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of influence are authority, credit, prestige, and weight. While all these words mean "power exerted over the minds or behavior of others," influence may apply to a force exercised and received consciously or unconsciously.

used her influence to get the bill passed

When can authority be used instead of influence?

While in some cases nearly identical to influence, authority implies the power of winning devotion or allegiance or of compelling acceptance and belief.

his opinions lacked authority

When might credit be a better fit than influence?

The words credit and influence can be used in similar contexts, but credit suggests influence that arises from the confidence of others.

his credit with the press

Where would prestige be a reasonable alternative to influence?

The synonyms prestige and influence are sometimes interchangeable, but prestige implies the ascendancy given by conspicuous excellence or reputation for superiority.

the prestige of the newspaper

When could weight be used to replace influence?

In some situations, the words weight and influence are roughly equivalent. However, weight implies measurable or decisive influence in determining acts or choices.

their wishes obviously carried much weight

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of influence
Noun
The lawsuit stems from a 2022 federal class-action complaint filed by YouTube TV subscribers, who argued Disney's control over popular channels and programming gave the company outsized influence over the live TV streaming market. — James Powel, USA Today, 6 July 2026 Increasing independence and peer influence can outpace a child’s ability to regulate phone use effectively. — Elizabeth Dowdell, The Conversation, 6 July 2026
Verb
The legislation therefore reflects a concern that investors may indirectly influence the practice of law by controlling the infrastructure surrounding lawyers. — Joseph Andrew, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 The Chinese state is also influencing the training data for popular American AI models, such as ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude. — Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for influence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for influence
  1. sway
  2. effect
  3. affect
  4. leverage
  5. impact
  6. impress
  7. authority
Noun
  • In interviews, criminologists and violence researchers told me all three crimes raised credible concerns about Mangione’s sway on other suspects.
    — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 7 July 2026
  • Although Chicago had its issues with redlining and massive disinvestment that left generational scars on some primarily Black neighborhoods, the small town ethos held little sway over me.
    — Dawn M. Turner, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Definition of sway
Noun
  • The experiments revealed signatures of the non-Hermitian skin effect, where quantum states concentrate near one end of the system instead of remaining evenly distributed.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026
  • Lithium batteries in general are capable of discharging a greater percentage of their full capacity without any negative effects, commonly offering usable capacities of 80% or more.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 July 2026
Definition of effect
Verb
  • Driving through deep water can also affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 12 July 2026
  • On Monday, another massive blackout affected nearly 10 million people nationwide.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
Definition of affect
Noun
  • But a growing number of ships are using a route close to the Omani coast instead, threatening Iran’s leverage over the waterway.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 9 July 2026
  • Creators now hold more leverage — often keeping ownership and creative control — a shift from the old model of studios simply absorbing influencers into existing productions.
    — Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Definition of leverage
Noun
  • Mexico’s World Cup run may be over, but for many Mexican Americans, its emotional impact endures.
    — Alfredo Corchado, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
  • Ship operators are favoring the Iranian route over the corridor along Oman’s coast, reinforcing the impact of the tanker attacks earlier this week, according to the trade intelligence firm Kpler.
    — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 10 July 2026
Definition of impact
Verb
  • One year ago, forward Myron Gardner earned a two-way contract from the Miami Heat by impressing during summer league.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026
  • He was also impressed by her knowledge and passion for winemaking.
    — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026
Definition of impress
Noun
  • In October, authorities established a cemetery in the city of Deir al Balah to bury unidentified bodies recovered from around the enclave.
    — Bilal Shbeir, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • The board needs to establish the authority structure and time-to-execution for such scenarios.
    — Anjana Susarla, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
Definition of authority

Phrases Containing influence

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inflows
influence
influenced
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Cite this Entry

“Influence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/influence. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on influence

Nglish: Translation of influence for Spanish Speakers

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