Thesaurus

affect, influence, touch, impress, strike, sway mean to produce or have an effect upon. affect implies the action of a stimulus that can produce a response or reaction.

- the sight affected her to tears

influence implies a force that brings about a change (as in nature or behavior).

- our beliefs are influenced by our upbringing

touch may carry a vivid suggestion of close contact and may connote stirring, arousing, or harming.

- plants touched by frost
- his emotions were touched by her distress

impress stresses the depth and persistence of the effect.

- only one of the plans impressed him

strike, similar to but weaker than impress, may convey the notion of sudden sharp perception or appreciation.

- struck by the solemnity of the occasion

sway implies the acting of influences that are not resisted or are irresistible, with resulting change in character or course of action.

- politicians who are swayed by popular opinion

influence

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of influence

1 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 of influence

authority, clout, credit, heft, in, juice [slang], leverage, pull, sway, weight

Words Related to influence

counterinfluence

command, dominance, dominion, mastery, predominance, reign, scepter, sovereignty (also sovranty), supremacy

consequence, eminence, importance, moment

impact, impress, impression, imprint, mark

Near Antonyms of influence

helplessness, impotence, impotency, powerlessness, weakness

2 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 of influence

effect, impact, mark, repercussion, sway

Words Related to influence

authority, clout, prestige, pull, weight

command, domination, dominion, mastery

consequence, importance, significance

sovereignty (also sovranty), supremacy

Near Antonyms of influence

helplessness, impotence, impotency, powerlessness, weakness

Synonym Discussion of influence

influence, authority, prestige, weight, credit mean power exerted over the minds or behavior of others. influence may apply to a force exercised and received consciously or unconsciously.