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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of influences
Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2026
And in Book Two, there are a lot of other classic fantasy influences there as well.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 21 Mar. 2026
Those influences shaped new collections.
—J.m. Banks
march 21, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2026
Following Cook Real Hawai’i, this book expresses a more homespun, contemporary side of Hawaiian food, inclusive of the myriad Pacific influences that have gathered on the islands’ shores.
—The Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Mar. 2026
Exhibitors demonstrated the absorption of global influences and, in parallel, the importance of Chinese trends, patterns, and fabrics.
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 20 Mar. 2026
The vibrant multicultural port city is in itself a singular destination, where Malay, Chinese, Indian, and British colonial influences converge.
—Jasmine Ting, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2026
Frank Miller was one of the major influences on Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird when the duo, then in their twenties, created the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in the early 1980s.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 20 Mar. 2026
Directed by the relative newcomers Edd Benda and Stephen Helstad from a screenplay by Helstad, the film has plenty of good influences, but carves out little of anything new of its own.
—Chase Hutchinson, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026
Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
The 10-year Treasury yield influences mortgage rates.
—Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 15 Mar. 2026
Because most of the Western media influences how that country is looked at and how children from there are thought about.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 15 Mar. 2026
Rather, the Fed adjusts the federal funds rate, which influences a wide range of financial benchmarks throughout the economy.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
Daily exposure to sunlight helps regulate your circadian rhythm, which influences sleep quality, insulin sensitivity, appetite, and glucose (sugar) control.
—Brittany Poulson, Verywell Health, 7 Mar. 2026
Hurley Arbibe agrees, noting that the mineral and microbial content of soil influences the vitamin, mineral and antioxidant levels of fruits, vegetables, and grains.
—Hannah Coates, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2026
Of the many style influences Carolyn Bessette Kennedy left us with, one of the most recognizable is her famous sunny blonde hair.
—Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 5 Mar. 2026
The data shows that responsible management today directly influences water availability tomorrow.
—Claire Marks, Austin American Statesman, 2 Mar. 2026
Noun
Instead, and perhaps fittingly, Coppola takes a page from Jacobs’s own book, and strings together a gauzy assortment of references and influences—presented through clips, photographs, and interviews—that have made up Jacobs’s artistic blueprint over the years.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2026
And in Book Two, there are a lot of other classic fantasy influences there as well.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 21 Mar. 2026
Those influences shaped new collections.
—J.m. Banks
march 21, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2026
Following Cook Real Hawai’i, this book expresses a more homespun, contemporary side of Hawaiian food, inclusive of the myriad Pacific influences that have gathered on the islands’ shores.
—The Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Mar. 2026
Exhibitors demonstrated the absorption of global influences and, in parallel, the importance of Chinese trends, patterns, and fabrics.
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 20 Mar. 2026
The vibrant multicultural port city is in itself a singular destination, where Malay, Chinese, Indian, and British colonial influences converge.
—Jasmine Ting, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2026
Frank Miller was one of the major influences on Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird when the duo, then in their twenties, created the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in the early 1980s.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 20 Mar. 2026
Directed by the relative newcomers Edd Benda and Stephen Helstad from a screenplay by Helstad, the film has plenty of good influences, but carves out little of anything new of its own.
—Chase Hutchinson, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
But perhaps most importantly, Soluna exudes a kindness and warm that influences the world around her.
—Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
The 10-year Treasury yield influences mortgage rates.
—Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 15 Mar. 2026
Because most of the Western media influences how that country is looked at and how children from there are thought about.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 15 Mar. 2026
Rather, the Fed adjusts the federal funds rate, which influences a wide range of financial benchmarks throughout the economy.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
Daily exposure to sunlight helps regulate your circadian rhythm, which influences sleep quality, insulin sensitivity, appetite, and glucose (sugar) control.
—Brittany Poulson, Verywell Health, 7 Mar. 2026
Hurley Arbibe agrees, noting that the mineral and microbial content of soil influences the vitamin, mineral and antioxidant levels of fruits, vegetables, and grains.
—Hannah Coates, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2026
Of the many style influences Carolyn Bessette Kennedy left us with, one of the most recognizable is her famous sunny blonde hair.
—Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 5 Mar. 2026
The data shows that responsible management today directly influences water availability tomorrow.
—Claire Marks, Austin American Statesman, 2 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for influences
Noun
-
The task force will study drought conditions statewide and report on their effects on farmers, cities, and other areas.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The sun, wind, noise, boat vibration and motion can intensify the effects of alcohol and drugs which can quickly impair coordination, judgment and reaction time.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
While oil that traverses the strait is usually bound for Asia and other places rather than North America, the chaos still affects the United States.—
Nicholas Riccardi,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Robinson uses rats in her research to understand how the brain adapts to emotions and how that affects behavior.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Beyond extending flight time, the shift to hydrogen leverages the laws of physics to improve drone reliability.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Mar. 2026
-
OneTeam Partners negotiates media deals and leverages players’ name, image and licensing rights.—
David Carrillo Peñaloza,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Colorado Water Conservation Board Director Lauren Ris explained that droughts do not affect every community the same way, and understanding where the impacts are most severe can help the state respond to those challenges.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Bergdoll cautioned that these impacts won't take effect immediately.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Yulin impresses me with her outstanding technique and musicality.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Win Son and its bakery are known for spicy fly’s head and sticky sweet red date buns, Bonnie’s has Calvin Eng’s homey Cantonese American cooking, Wenwen feels like a communal dinner party, and Birds of a Feather impresses with its light and serene interpretation of Szechuan cuisine.—
Wilder Davies,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Nam Deuk-woo, fire chief of the city's Daedeok district, said authorities were searching for at least 14 other people believed to have been inside the facility when the fire broke out.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The camp is on high ground but authorities didn't want to leave them there, the mayor said.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This contemporary, topical story touches on many current hot button issues while delighting audiences with memorable songs and explosive dances.—
Jennifer McRae,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Her work touches on social justice issues and is often deeply emotional.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Foligno didn’t hide that some weights had been lifted off his shoulders being in an older room.—
Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
-
The shirt stretched naturally with every movement, even while lugging around 35-pound weights in the pool during underwater training sessions.—
Joe Jackson,
Outside,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Influences.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/influences. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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