1
as in sways
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 effects
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 affects
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 influences
Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 16 May 2026
In addition to these external influences, Dini emphasized that long-term domestic instability has left Somalia’s coastline vulnerable, weakening local institutions and lowering the risks for pirate networks.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
And for boys and girls, the shoe options will pull from skate- and surf-inspired influences, while delivering toughness and comfort for active, creative lives.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
Cullins is a songwriter who plays guitar with rhythm and blues, soul, funk, jazz and rock influences.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2026
So there’s all these kind of Andalusian influences as well.
—AFAR Media, 15 May 2026
Novak used his speech to highlight the importance of writers as literary influences and tastemakers.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
Along with Thom Browne, Garcias, a brand blending Colombian, Italian, and American influences, founded by Nicolas Martin Garcia, will also join the schedule for the first time.
—Maliha Shoaib, Vogue, 14 May 2026
While rooted in Kansas City identity, newer collections began incorporating elements that reflect a broader Midwest lifestyle, including workwear and outdoor influences.
—Kansas City Star, 4 May 2026
Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 16 May 2026
Xu notes that as enterprises evaluate how technology influences cost structures, efficiency, and competitive positioning, leadership criteria are evolving alongside them.
—William Jones, USA Today, 12 May 2026
Gomez has been outspoken about the tactics of her colleague Carr, who steers the agency and influences the direction of the FCC’s regulatory Media Bureau.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
That’s a valuable attribute in this climate, when public sentiment often influences internal discourse.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 10 May 2026
Adding more of this hormone influences the markings on their babies’ backs—either bars or stripes—which provide different forms of camouflage in different environments.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 10 May 2026
The look, including logos, packaging and anything else a customer sees before experiencing the product, influences the customer’s decision.
—Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
This perspective influences every element of the record.
—Boutayna Chokrane, Pitchfork, 7 May 2026
Poverty influences reproductive decisions Money is another important factor in people’s reproductive choices.
—Gretchen E. Ely, The Conversation, 5 May 2026
Noun
The film blends psychological thriller elements with transhumanist themes and body horror influences.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 16 May 2026
In addition to these external influences, Dini emphasized that long-term domestic instability has left Somalia’s coastline vulnerable, weakening local institutions and lowering the risks for pirate networks.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
And for boys and girls, the shoe options will pull from skate- and surf-inspired influences, while delivering toughness and comfort for active, creative lives.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
Cullins is a songwriter who plays guitar with rhythm and blues, soul, funk, jazz and rock influences.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2026
So there’s all these kind of Andalusian influences as well.
—AFAR Media, 15 May 2026
Novak used his speech to highlight the importance of writers as literary influences and tastemakers.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
Along with Thom Browne, Garcias, a brand blending Colombian, Italian, and American influences, founded by Nicolas Martin Garcia, will also join the schedule for the first time.
—Maliha Shoaib, Vogue, 14 May 2026
While rooted in Kansas City identity, newer collections began incorporating elements that reflect a broader Midwest lifestyle, including workwear and outdoor influences.
—Kansas City Star, 4 May 2026
Verb
The study found that locomotion strongly influences handedness patterns across primates.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 16 May 2026
Xu notes that as enterprises evaluate how technology influences cost structures, efficiency, and competitive positioning, leadership criteria are evolving alongside them.
—William Jones, USA Today, 12 May 2026
Gomez has been outspoken about the tactics of her colleague Carr, who steers the agency and influences the direction of the FCC’s regulatory Media Bureau.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
That’s a valuable attribute in this climate, when public sentiment often influences internal discourse.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 10 May 2026
Adding more of this hormone influences the markings on their babies’ backs—either bars or stripes—which provide different forms of camouflage in different environments.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 10 May 2026
The look, including logos, packaging and anything else a customer sees before experiencing the product, influences the customer’s decision.
—Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
This perspective influences every element of the record.
—Boutayna Chokrane, Pitchfork, 7 May 2026
Poverty influences reproductive decisions Money is another important factor in people’s reproductive choices.
—Gretchen E. Ely, The Conversation, 5 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for influences
Noun
-
In fact, the study, published in Innovation in Aging, concluded that the artsy group appeared to age as much as 4 percent slower than their counterparts, with similar effects to those of a weekly workout.—
Devorah Lauter,
ARTnews.com,
12 May 2026
-
However, for people who use nicotine in any form, including pouches, the effects often lead to physical dependence and the need for increasing doses.—
Fran Kritz,
Verywell Health,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Cambria executives say the disease affects workers at countertop businesses that cut raw slabs on the cheap without the necessary protections, and that its workers cut the product safely.—
Maria Aspan,
NPR,
17 May 2026
-
Cancer affects one in four people around the world.—
Bettina Zilkha,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
Swarming technology leverages distributed AI to enable autonomous coordination and decision-making.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 May 2026
-
Even tackle football players attend games, shouting out the leverages and coverages of opponents from the bleachers.—
PJ Green
April 30,
Kansas City Star,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This study is a good start for establishing risk analysis for ozone, says Qiu, but there's still a long way to go before researchers fully grasp the health impacts of wildfire smoke.—
Joanna Thompson,
Space.com,
12 May 2026
-
Conducted as the war in Iran was breaking out and logistical constraints began to arise from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the survey revealed that 61 percent of executives believe the impacts of heightened duties are still the most difficult factor to manage in today’s business climate.—
Kate Nishimura,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Today, the park impresses with its modern engineering and renowned aesthetics.—
Zachary Laks,
Travel + Leisure,
15 May 2026
-
More than just its scale, though, the project impresses with its use of recycled materials, including everything from wind turbine blades to old windows.—
Adam Williams
May 09,
New Atlas,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Health authorities said Congo has stockpiles of Ebola treatments and approximately 2,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine, though officials cautioned the vaccine is only effective against the Ebola Zaire strain and not against Sudan or Bundibugyo variants.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
-
After undergoing several procedures, Fernandez-Delgado is doing well and continuing to recover at home, authorities say.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
And then there’s the partnership with music mega-star Marc Anthony, which will encompass music, lifestyle programming and long-form content that touches on fashion, hospitality and all parts of the Spanish-language media ecosystem.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2026
-
Returning to Craigh na Dun on her own, Claire touches the center stone and is transported to 1743, three years before the Jacobite defeat.—
Culture Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Motorists advised to get oil changes sooner as certain weights become scarce.—
Byron Hurd,
The Drive,
13 May 2026
-
The host does his best to incorporate weights, jumping exercises, and cardio.—
Allison DeGrushe,
StyleCaster,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Influences.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/influences. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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