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
Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
Saudi Arabia aims to reassert its regional influence by pressing Hamas and Israel to resolve their ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Aug. 2025
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Aug. 2025
Hamilton’s designs have influenced other brands including Converse, which released a collection of shoes in 2021 inspired by his NBA championship jackets.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for influence
Noun
Scobey estimated that during the peak of Exodus’s influence in the mid-2000s, about 10,000 people attended one of its many local ministries across the United States every month.
—Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
Saudi Arabia aims to reassert its regional influence by pressing Hamas and Israel to resolve their ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
Embodying Jackson has profoundly influenced Fields-Green’s own creative work as a writer and director.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Aug. 2025
Hamilton’s designs have influenced other brands including Converse, which released a collection of shoes in 2021 inspired by his NBA championship jackets.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for influence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for influence
Noun
-
Although New Yorkers have heavily leaned Democratic in most local and statewide elections, Republicans have gained traction with the help of a strong base combined with more political sway from independent voters.—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Aug. 2025
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Traditional models of persuasion designed to push, nudge, or steer don't hold as much sway in a world where the consumer is often one step ahead.—
Teja Chekuri,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The driver of the motor vehicle remained at the scene and was not injured, according to Bessette. Road closures were in effect in the area of the crash as the Waterbury Police Department’s Crash Reconstruction Unit investigated the incident, Bessette said.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
13 Aug. 2025
-
This warning is in effect until Wednesday at 2 a.m. Protect yourself during a heat wave with these tips from the NWS Stay hydrated: Remember to drink plenty of fluids.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Stalking is an issue that affects women across all sports — for instance, tennis star Iga Swiatek was confronted during a Miami Open practice in March by a man who had previously harassed her on social media.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Aug. 2025
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But the past six months or so have also seen complications over the renewal of his contract, with the displeasure generated by that undoubtedly a factor that has affected performances on the pitch.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
9 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
In so doing, the Administration hopes to use these gains as leverage in its negotiations with Beijing.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
18 Aug. 2025
-
Lastly, SpaceX could gain some leverage by providing launch services to Amazon.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Internal studies documented Instagram’s harmful impact on the mental health of vulnerable teen girls.—
Noah Giansiracusa,
Time,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The media company looking to close the loopholes by the end of 2025, with the impact starting to appear in its financials by 2026.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
He has been particularly impressed with manager Claudio Giráldez’s ability to bed-in academy players.—
Vitas Carosella,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Our winners impressed us in all categories and quickly became our go-tos for busy weeknights.—
Kristin Canning,
SELF,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
But the judge in charge argued authorities had to watch Body of Lies before sentencing Farahani.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Aug. 2025
-
In her conversations with Damien Allen, a 22-year-old arrested in April by Florida authorities for planning a mass shooting, Rupnow often spoke of the two of them in romantic terms.—
Natalie Eilbert,
jsonline.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Influence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/influence. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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