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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of influences
Nina Ruggiero, Travel + Leisure, 10 Nov. 2025
The menu at 1923 is inspired by the fusion of cultural flavors found throughout California, including Asian, European and South American influences.
—Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2025
Taking viewers on a walk through the backstage of her series’ studio, pointing to some of the pictures of her biggest influences lining the walls, Clarkson set the stage for the big reveal.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 10 Nov. 2025
And in these two studies, that link between acetaminophen and autism/ADHD either vanished or became far less convincing once those other influences had been factored into the results.
—New Atlas, 9 Nov. 2025
Two of the influences that Roversi is quick to note are Man Ray and Erwin Blumenfeld, both of whom worked in and out of mid-century fashion magazines and were famous for their manipulation of images in the darkroom.
—Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 8 Nov. 2025
Japanese animation also served as a visual reference during the movie’s production; Han said most of the team grew up during a time when the medium was popular in France, and described the film as a fusion between American, Disney-esque influences and those of Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 7 Nov. 2025
Decorado has several influences.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2025
At the micro level, however, the influences of different vices become more clear.
—Dan Brooks, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2025
Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 6 Nov. 2025
The Gut Produces Mood-Boosting Chemicals One of the most direct ways the gut influences the brain is through chemical messengers that affect mood and cognition.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 6 Nov. 2025
Oxidation, or exposure to oxygen after harvesting, influences a tea’s flavor, color, and nutrients.
—Caitlin Beale, Health, 4 Nov. 2025
This is due to the noise level on an airplane, which influences a human's perception of taste.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2025
Although adjustable-rate mortgages are pegged to the prime rate, the 10-year Treasury influences the longer-term outlook.
—Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
His team, including Igal Szleifer, Luay Almassalha, and Kyle MacQuarrie, decoded how DNA’s shape, not just its sequence, influences gene behavior.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2025
The first step is understanding what influences your risk for ovarian cancer.
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Flow Space, 27 Oct. 2025
The Fed’s key interest rate, which influences borrowing costs more broadly, functions through demand, not supply.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
Originally from Puglia, Bowerman is unafraid to introduce global flavors into her Italian cooking, often drawing upon Asian influences.
—Nina Ruggiero, Travel + Leisure, 10 Nov. 2025
The menu at 1923 is inspired by the fusion of cultural flavors found throughout California, including Asian, European and South American influences.
—Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2025
Taking viewers on a walk through the backstage of her series’ studio, pointing to some of the pictures of her biggest influences lining the walls, Clarkson set the stage for the big reveal.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 10 Nov. 2025
And in these two studies, that link between acetaminophen and autism/ADHD either vanished or became far less convincing once those other influences had been factored into the results.
—New Atlas, 9 Nov. 2025
Two of the influences that Roversi is quick to note are Man Ray and Erwin Blumenfeld, both of whom worked in and out of mid-century fashion magazines and were famous for their manipulation of images in the darkroom.
—Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 8 Nov. 2025
Japanese animation also served as a visual reference during the movie’s production; Han said most of the team grew up during a time when the medium was popular in France, and described the film as a fusion between American, Disney-esque influences and those of Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 7 Nov. 2025
Decorado has several influences.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2025
At the micro level, however, the influences of different vices become more clear.
—Dan Brooks, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
Career officials also alleged ideological hiring within key divisions, including civil rights, cementing a shift that critics say still influences decision-making today.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 6 Nov. 2025
The Gut Produces Mood-Boosting Chemicals One of the most direct ways the gut influences the brain is through chemical messengers that affect mood and cognition.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 6 Nov. 2025
Oxidation, or exposure to oxygen after harvesting, influences a tea’s flavor, color, and nutrients.
—Caitlin Beale, Health, 4 Nov. 2025
This is due to the noise level on an airplane, which influences a human's perception of taste.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2025
Although adjustable-rate mortgages are pegged to the prime rate, the 10-year Treasury influences the longer-term outlook.
—Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
His team, including Igal Szleifer, Luay Almassalha, and Kyle MacQuarrie, decoded how DNA’s shape, not just its sequence, influences gene behavior.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2025
The first step is understanding what influences your risk for ovarian cancer.
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Flow Space, 27 Oct. 2025
The Fed’s key interest rate, which influences borrowing costs more broadly, functions through demand, not supply.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for influences
Noun
-
Both of these effects can make reflux worse.—
Sarah Hudgens,
Health,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Fast casual has become ‘too expensive’ Cava, which serves customizable Mediterranean-style bowls, is one chain that’s feeling the effects.—
Jordan Valinsky,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Spina bifida is a type of neural tube defect (NTD) that affects the spine and is usually identified at birth.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
-
One such affliction is Tay-Sachs, a disease that disproportionately affects people of Ashkenazi descent and destroys brain and spinal nerve cells.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Prime leverages free shipping and video streaming, along with numerous other perks, to keep users paying every month.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Another example is msg Global Solutions AG, whose Greenwashing Detector solution leverages generative AI to validate reports and detect potential greenwashing.—
Sophia Mendelsohn,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
According to a media release from DHS regarding the ongoing impacts to the agency from the shutdown, funds administered to community partners through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Social Services Block Grant and Community Service Block Grant programs have been suspended.—
Daniel McFadin,
Arkansas Online,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The temporary lapse in SNAP benefits has already had dire impacts on families whose electronic benefits cards were due to be reloaded the first week of November.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Set against São Rafael Beach near Albufeira, this reimagined 149-room property impresses with Andrade’s signature style, one that marries whimsy with natural textures.—
Chadner Navarro,
Vogue,
30 Oct. 2025
-
None of these videos impresses.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The next day, authorities announced the student's real name is Anthony Michael Lennon and he'd been captured after more than a decade on the run.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
7 Nov. 2025
-
His car was later found abandoned, and authorities began searching the area.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Lyon’s magnetism touches the entire cast, but her bits with both Killam’s Boone and Chenoweth’s Tammy really leap off the screen.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
-
And none of that touches the benefits that could accrue to other people outfitted with BCI chips, who could then communicate and interact with AI systems.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Roser also recommends wearing these vests for moves where having weights in your hands is challenging, such as side lunges, side squats, and sumo squats.—
Jessie Quinn,
Flow Space,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Honda will position batteries on the platform around the center of vehicles instead of at the rear, and adjust load-bearing for different vehicle weights using fewer unique parts.—
Daniel Leussink,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Influences.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/influences. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share