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
Kyle Denis, Billboard, 31 Oct. 2025
Gabbiadini didn’t have that influence.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Although adjustable-rate mortgages are pegged to the prime rate, the 10-year Treasury influences the longer-term outlook.
—Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for influence
Noun
Hailing from Harlem, the late rapper, who was fatally shot in a drive-by shooting in 1999, released only one album during his lifetime, but his impact and influence still live on in hip-hop today.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 31 Oct. 2025
Gabbiadini didn’t have that influence.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
The outcome could also influence national narratives ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, offering clues about voter sentiment toward both parties in a politically shifting region.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Although adjustable-rate mortgages are pegged to the prime rate, the 10-year Treasury influences the longer-term outlook.
—Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for influence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for influence
Noun
-
But Polanco said in modern populist politics, on the left and right, a deep resume doesn't hold as much sway with voters.—
Brian Mann,
NPR,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The country’s military junta and their Russian partners are struggling to counter the jihadis, who now hold sway in many parts of the huge Sahelian country.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The new rules went into effect for the 72nd Miss Universe pageant in 2023, according to an internal memo obtained by The National.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Different types of fiber have different effects on the body.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The honors affected are Andrew’s Order of the Garter and Knight Grand Cross of the Victorian Order.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Jacksonville businesses of all kinds have been affected by the downstream effects of the second-longest government shutdown in history, including Chicken Country, a restaurant that has provided the area with Southern cooking for about 50 years.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Beijing, in other words, got Washington to forswear one of its best economic tools just as China was wielding its own leverage.—
Mira Rapp-Hooper,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
-
The agreement could be a key piece of leverage in responding to China’s control of rare earth minerals.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The organization’s Green Heart Project, which studies the impact of better air quality on heart disease through urban greening, has found that increasing the number of trees and shrubs in an area can create lower levels of a blood marker associated with inflammation.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
26 Oct. 2025
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Experts bemoan the loneliness epidemic and its impact on youth, mental health, longevity, and chronic pain.—
Joni Eareckson Tada,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
An art conservator who'd prefer to be immersed in detail work, Sarah is bombing as the host of a dinner party where her entrepreneur husband (Tom Riley) hopes to impress an obnoxious prospective investor (Tom Goodman-Hill) when a literal explosive goes off in her neighborhood.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
29 Oct. 2025
-
The classroom was a chance to impress Alex.—
Jourdain Searles,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Founded in 1963, Kurt Geiger became a leading authority in footwear and accessories in Europe.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
31 Oct. 2025
-
But again, check with the authorities first, and proceed with caution.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Influence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/influence. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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