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
Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025
At the United Nations, Beijing has steadily expanded its influence while the US has cut staff.
—Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
How has your experience the in fashion world influenced your approach?
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for influence
Noun
His early musical influences were mostly rockabilly; his later listening took detours through punk and glam and blues.
—Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025
At the United Nations, Beijing has steadily expanded its influence while the US has cut staff.
—Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
Out of pocket costs are also set to increase next year, and there are a number of other changes, potentially influencing what Americans decide to do about enrolling for health insurance plans for 2026.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
How has your experience the in fashion world influenced your approach?
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for influence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for influence
Noun
-
This is a buyer’s market, Ashton said, and one in which the global streamers hold sway.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
19 Sep. 2025
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Each of these three projects has its own sway in the new world that AI has brought us.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Falling below expectations for four straight years, even with that workload in mind, can have that effect.—
The Athletic NHL,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
-
The warnings alert the public to life-threatening waves and currents affecting beaches in Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan and Illinois, with advisories in effect through Thursday.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The dispute affected educators and policymakers statewide — but Pendleton managed to take the best of both literacy methods and apply them to the 130,000-plus students then enrolled in San Diego schools, Lopez said.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Based on her symptoms, Chyna may suffer from Wobbler Syndrome, a disease that affects a large dog’s spine.—
TJ Macias,
Kansas City Star,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
And the bigger problem is that fans, as a rule, do not have much leverage, or avenues to effectively protest.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
-
In both instances, the minority party was using the threat of a shutdown as leverage to get their way.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The crash left a deep impact on the agency, not just for the injured but for the OCFA crews who responded to the scene to help their own.—
Sydney Barragan,
Oc Register,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Trim trees and install storm shutters, accordion shutters, and impact glass, and seal outside wall openings.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Conservatives see no apology from Jimmy Kimmel Dana Loesch, the Trump-supporting voice of gun rights activism, was not impressed by Jimmy Kimmel's return.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
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Signaling that confidence in the AI trade is still in question, shares of Micron Technology initially gained Wednesday before ultimately moving lower as the company's earnings and forecast weren't strong enough to impress investors.—
Sean Conlon,Pia Singh,
CNBC,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Half a dozen inmates and four deputies were injured Friday morning when a brawl broke out at the Maguire Correctional Facility in Redwood City, authorities said.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
27 Sep. 2025
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Two students at Syracuse University in New York are being charged with hate crimes after being accused of tossing a bag of pork into a Jewish fraternity home during a celebration for the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah, authorities said.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Influence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/influence. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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