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
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Recent Examples of influence
Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 10 Jan. 2026
The second main driver behind the trend is social media influence.
—Tessa Cooper, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026
Jack Guy, CNN Money, 14 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, with neither player embedded in any of the squad’s social groups, any sense of frustration did not influence other parts of the dressing room.
—Simon Hughes, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for influence
Noun
Machado's influence led to her transition into politics, and in 2010, she was elected to the Venezuelan National Assembly.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 10 Jan. 2026
The second main driver behind the trend is social media influence.
—Tessa Cooper, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
Analysis showed that both the horses’ behavior and physiology were influenced by the human odor compounds.
—Jack Guy, CNN Money, 14 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, with neither player embedded in any of the squad’s social groups, any sense of frustration did not influence other parts of the dressing room.
—Simon Hughes, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for influence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for influence
Noun
-
The Secret Agent, set in 1977 Brazil, is about living under a military dictatorship, which held sway in Brazil from 1964-1985.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
11 Jan. 2026
-
By late 1964, by then under the sway of the Beatles, those musicians were joined by drummer and jazz aficionado Kreutzmann and avant garde bassist Phil Lesh in the rock unit the Warlocks.—
Chris Morris,
Variety,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The existing program was implemented in 2024 and is in effect for two years.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
As well as testing the various systems on board, the crew will be test subjects themselves, helping Nasa understand the effects that space travel has on their cognition, sleep, stress, immune responses and cardiovascular health.—
The Week,
TheWeek,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Her latest book follows two families in late-1970s Rochester, New York, who are affected by an affair that causes a pair of divorces.—
Michael Schaub,
Oc Register,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Though Kuminga is relegated to the bench and no longer in the team’s future plans, Kerr believed the team will not be negatively affected by the situation.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The United States certainly has plenty of leverage to press Caracas to free the handful of Americans that remain in its custody — such as 28-year-old James Luckey-Lange, who was taken after entering the country in December.—
Editorial Board,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
-
These agreements require deep expertise in risk allocation, finance and long-term contract enforcement, areas where private developers often have far greater resources and leverage than municipalities.—
Michelle Grau,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The bottle is small, easy to pack, and a little goes a long way—proof that sometimes even the smallest things have a big impact.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Jan. 2026
-
The economic cost is caused by losses in the fishing industry, damage to coastal communities and impacts to systems that help fortify those communities, like mangroves and reefs.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The events for the most part are casual, though Nimrod says some do come dressed to impress depending on the occasion.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Noussair Mazraoui and Luke Shaw have also impressed playing in a central three.—
Chris McKenna,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Please consult your local burn permitting authorities as to whether burning is allowed.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Jan. 2026
-
The project has yielded some certainties and if repeated will allow the analysis of changes that eventually will help authorities make better decisions when eruptions occur.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Influence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/influence. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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