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
Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 2 May 2026
Llobet draws from a wide range of influences, from flamenco to folk music, but their songs remain centered on complicated emotions and grim imagery.
—Colin Joyce, Pitchfork, 1 May 2026
The gyuto was born when Western culinary influences became de rigeur, and chefs needed a more versatile blade shape, adept at push cuts and pull-through slicing, with a slight curve that allowed some light chopping.
—Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 May 2026
Asking a musician about their influences can elicit a boiler plate response revealing little about their mindset and motivations.
—Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
In a recent Rolling Stone Studio interview, Hawke broke down the making of the ambitious album — including the influences of Taylor Swift, Sadie Sink, and William Blake — and looked back at the end of Stranger Things, plus much more.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 1 May 2026
New Orleans Dining in New Orleans is a direct reflection of the city's diverse cultural influences from Europe, the Caribbean, and West Africa.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 1 May 2026
The 23 Best Restaurants in Portland, Oregon This city may specialize in farm-to-table, but today there's new energy—and a wider range of culinary influences.
—Hannah Wallace, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Apr. 2026
The inaugural lineup will include a range of thematic galleries, beginning with exhibitions focused on architecture and the design influences behind the museum, as well as works by American painter Thomas Hart Benton portraying scenes of everyday life.
—City News Service, Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026
Lauren David, Southern Living, 30 Apr. 2026
Manufacturers should always be able to clearly articulate how and why technology influences decisions.
—Mike Kelleher, Baltimore Sun, 30 Apr. 2026
The key to making the right decision for your situation is understanding how the process works, what influences the outcome and whether the potential benefits outweigh the drawbacks in your circumstances.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
Rather than relying solely on large-scale supply chains, Allegretta explains that working directly with local producers creates a level of visibility and trust that influences both quality and process.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
How Washington behaves vis-à-vis those deposits influences the process and reconfigures the balance within the Shia house.
—Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Because the gut and brain communicate with each other, changes in the gut may be one way that diet influences brain health, the authors wrote.
—Rob Williams, EverydayHealth.com, 27 Apr. 2026
The team suggests that photochemistry and photophysics — chemistry and physics driven by light emissions — likely influences how those environments are shaped, but understanding just how will require more study.
—Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 23 Apr. 2026
This one narrow passage influences fuel prices, insurance costs, shipping schedules, inflation expectations, and diplomatic posture across multiple continents.
—Tenzin Seldon, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
On Witness And Respair by Jesmyn Ward Jesmyn Ward reflects on over a decade of life and writing, exploring her upbringing in rural Mississippi, literary influences, and personal tragedies with hauntingly lyrical prose.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 2 May 2026
Llobet draws from a wide range of influences, from flamenco to folk music, but their songs remain centered on complicated emotions and grim imagery.
—Colin Joyce, Pitchfork, 1 May 2026
The gyuto was born when Western culinary influences became de rigeur, and chefs needed a more versatile blade shape, adept at push cuts and pull-through slicing, with a slight curve that allowed some light chopping.
—Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 May 2026
Asking a musician about their influences can elicit a boiler plate response revealing little about their mindset and motivations.
—Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
In a recent Rolling Stone Studio interview, Hawke broke down the making of the ambitious album — including the influences of Taylor Swift, Sadie Sink, and William Blake — and looked back at the end of Stranger Things, plus much more.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 1 May 2026
New Orleans Dining in New Orleans is a direct reflection of the city's diverse cultural influences from Europe, the Caribbean, and West Africa.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 1 May 2026
The 23 Best Restaurants in Portland, Oregon This city may specialize in farm-to-table, but today there's new energy—and a wider range of culinary influences.
—Hannah Wallace, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Apr. 2026
The inaugural lineup will include a range of thematic galleries, beginning with exhibitions focused on architecture and the design influences behind the museum, as well as works by American painter Thomas Hart Benton portraying scenes of everyday life.
—City News Service, Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
Size also influences how quickly or slowly the compost takes.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 30 Apr. 2026
Manufacturers should always be able to clearly articulate how and why technology influences decisions.
—Mike Kelleher, Baltimore Sun, 30 Apr. 2026
The key to making the right decision for your situation is understanding how the process works, what influences the outcome and whether the potential benefits outweigh the drawbacks in your circumstances.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
Rather than relying solely on large-scale supply chains, Allegretta explains that working directly with local producers creates a level of visibility and trust that influences both quality and process.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
How Washington behaves vis-à-vis those deposits influences the process and reconfigures the balance within the Shia house.
—Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Because the gut and brain communicate with each other, changes in the gut may be one way that diet influences brain health, the authors wrote.
—Rob Williams, EverydayHealth.com, 27 Apr. 2026
The team suggests that photochemistry and photophysics — chemistry and physics driven by light emissions — likely influences how those environments are shaped, but understanding just how will require more study.
—Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 23 Apr. 2026
This one narrow passage influences fuel prices, insurance costs, shipping schedules, inflation expectations, and diplomatic posture across multiple continents.
—Tenzin Seldon, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for influences
Noun
-
No immediate impact likely for world oil markets The UAE’s withdrawal from OPEC won’t necessarily have any immediate effects in markets.—
Jon Gambrell,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
These spillover effects are deepening an arc of instability stretching from Europe to the Middle East, from Africa to Asia.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The recall affects unexpired bottles with lot numbers 230361, 240822, 241198, 250066, 250152, 250646 and 250831.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
3 May 2026
-
In banking, an erroneous decision affects a transaction.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
2 May 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
-
Also, women who are pregnant and their fetuses, children, older adults and people living with chronic conditions, especially heart and lung disease, may be physically more susceptible to the health impacts of air pollution than other adults, according to the American Lung Association.—
Natassia Paloma,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
In recent years, the helicopters have drawn more and more complaints about high operating costs and the potential health impacts from noise pollution.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Also Astellas is reentering the clinic with a next-generation gene therapy for XLMTM and Intellia’s CRISPR therapy for hereditary angioedema impresses.—
Meghana Keshavan,
STAT,
27 Apr. 2026
-
That’s what impresses Grayslake North senior shortstop/third baseman Jane Pritchard.—
Bobby Narang,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Walton then allegedly fled at a high rate of speed without contacting authorities.—
Stepheny Price , Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
2 May 2026
-
Ray said federal authorities were leading the investigation.—
Jim Vertuno,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Legal work that touches immigration status or physical injury can bring fear to the surface again and again.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Kansas City-area Representatives Sam Graves, who represents a swath of northern Missouri, and Mark Alford, whose district touches the metro and central Missouri, similarly both made statements about the attack.—
Jack Harvel
April 27,
Kansas City Star,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There’s a workout area that’s partially open to the elements with weights, a trampoline, rowing machine and stretch bands, but a treadmill and other cardio equipment would be a good addition for runners.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Apr. 2026
-
In peak-pandemic times, even something as simple as working out was a challenge, so his coaches at Forest Hills Northern High School personally delivered weights to players’ homes.—
Bomani Jones,
Vanity Fair,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Influences.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/influences. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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