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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of influences
David Chiu, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026
Ortatepe said that the restaurant’s myriad influences — Greek, Turkish, Anatolian, Levantine — mesh with creating a space where culture connects guests.
—Connie Ogle
june 19, Miami Herald, 19 June 2026
Jane Remover is a trans polymath producer and singer-songwriter with influences across rave, shoegaze, trap and beyond.
—Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
The music in the film blends influences from the 1980s and ’90s, particularly drawing inspiration from Filipino and Filipino-American musical culture.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 19 June 2026
Lauren cites Terrence Mallick, Jaco Van Dormeal, Andrei Tarkovsky, Abel Ferrara, and Gasper Noé as cinematic influences.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 19 June 2026
With a mood board of influences including CD-binder staples like Neil Young’s Harvest Moon and alt-country lifers Blue Rodeo’s Five Days in July, Shabason and Krgovich summon the spirit of a backyard campfire attended by folkies and experimental jazz nerds alike.
—Zach Schonfeld, Pitchfork, 18 June 2026
Our research suggests that activists seeking to protect American democracy from authoritarian influences are pursuing a failing strategy.
—Scott Warren, The Atlantic, 13 June 2026
Later, Juan-Carlos Chaurand joined FK Menace as part of Sin Tope, blending traditional Latin influences with contemporary sounds.
—J.m. Banks
june 12, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026
Ezekiel J. Emanuel, Fortune, 21 June 2026
The 10-day gap between Apple's announcement and sale also influences consumer upgrade decisions and trade-in values, primarily benefiting iPhone users.
—Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026
The arrays monitor ocean conditions, track marine heatwaves and collect data on how the ocean influences hurricanes and other events.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 18 June 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, 18 June 2026
That rate, known as the Fed funds rate, influences other borrowing rates throughout the economy, including for credit cards and auto loans.
—Rob Wile, NBC news, 18 June 2026
Our circadian rhythm, also known as our internal body clock, largely influences our natural sleep-wake preferences, known as chronotypes.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 15 June 2026
Weather also influences how much local governments will dig into tax revenues to shield us, including building stronger infrastructure to better direct the flow of stormwater, assembling emergency management teams and equipment, and organizing shelters.
—Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2026
El Niño is part of a large-scale climate pattern that influences weather around the globe.
—Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 12 June 2026
Noun
The band, whose diverse musical influences included the Ramones, David Bowie and OMD, formed in 1983 after Susan and Jade moved to New York City.
—David Chiu, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026
Ortatepe said that the restaurant’s myriad influences — Greek, Turkish, Anatolian, Levantine — mesh with creating a space where culture connects guests.
—Connie Ogle
june 19, Miami Herald, 19 June 2026
Jane Remover is a trans polymath producer and singer-songwriter with influences across rave, shoegaze, trap and beyond.
—Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
The music in the film blends influences from the 1980s and ’90s, particularly drawing inspiration from Filipino and Filipino-American musical culture.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 19 June 2026
Lauren cites Terrence Mallick, Jaco Van Dormeal, Andrei Tarkovsky, Abel Ferrara, and Gasper Noé as cinematic influences.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 19 June 2026
With a mood board of influences including CD-binder staples like Neil Young’s Harvest Moon and alt-country lifers Blue Rodeo’s Five Days in July, Shabason and Krgovich summon the spirit of a backyard campfire attended by folkies and experimental jazz nerds alike.
—Zach Schonfeld, Pitchfork, 18 June 2026
Our research suggests that activists seeking to protect American democracy from authoritarian influences are pursuing a failing strategy.
—Scott Warren, The Atlantic, 13 June 2026
Later, Juan-Carlos Chaurand joined FK Menace as part of Sin Tope, blending traditional Latin influences with contemporary sounds.
—J.m. Banks
june 12, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026
Verb
Social connection influences health outcomes as powerfully as many medical interventions.
—Ezekiel J. Emanuel, Fortune, 21 June 2026
The 10-day gap between Apple's announcement and sale also influences consumer upgrade decisions and trade-in values, primarily benefiting iPhone users.
—Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026
The arrays monitor ocean conditions, track marine heatwaves and collect data on how the ocean influences hurricanes and other events.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 18 June 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, 18 June 2026
That rate, known as the Fed funds rate, influences other borrowing rates throughout the economy, including for credit cards and auto loans.
—Rob Wile, NBC news, 18 June 2026
Our circadian rhythm, also known as our internal body clock, largely influences our natural sleep-wake preferences, known as chronotypes.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 15 June 2026
Weather also influences how much local governments will dig into tax revenues to shield us, including building stronger infrastructure to better direct the flow of stormwater, assembling emergency management teams and equipment, and organizing shelters.
—Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2026
El Niño is part of a large-scale climate pattern that influences weather around the globe.
—Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 12 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for influences
Noun
-
Another loophole Trump leverages to achieve his all-encompassing power grab is the National Emergencies Act.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
9 June 2026
-
According to Easter, each of the 33 cocktails on the menu leverages a bottle with a story behind it, and the staff is prepared to regale you with their histories.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Organizers say the free show will have more than 10,000 pyrotechnic effects along the Detroit River.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
-
These conditions can increase your vulnerability to adverse effects from poor air quality.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Oc Register,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Scientific American spoke with Devika Bhushan, a public health physician and adjunct faculty member at Stanford University School of Medicine, who studies gender norms, about the ways in which fatherhood affects men’s brains and the mental health struggles dads face.—
Tanya Lewis,
Scientific American,
21 June 2026
-
More than four decades later, Campbell says the loss still affects her every day.—
Conor McGill,
CBS News,
21 June 2026
Noun
-
Lexington Police Department Moore’s body was found Wednesday afternoon near a gym that she was seen leaving on June 11 in Lexington, a city of roughly 23,000 west of Columbia, authorities said.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
20 June 2026
-
Hours later, both men got into an argument at the business, which led to the shooting, authorities said.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
The system has a 60 percent chance of becoming a tropical storm, with significant impacts possible across the Deep South.—
Ben Noll,
Washington Post,
16 June 2026
-
Siebel Newsom has said their experiences of bullying and remote schooling during the pandemic informed her views on restricting kids’ access to social media and the impacts of artificial intelligence on children’s mental health.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Newcastle are keen to get the Munoz transfer sealed, given that if the versatile attacker impresses on the global stage, that may prompt greater interest.—
David Ornstein,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
What impresses Dubi most, however, is not Gasol's fame but his leadership style.—
Tim Genske,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Holding light weights in your hands, place one foot on the box and press through your midfoot, extending your hip, and meet your front foot at the top.—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
18 June 2026
-
The other shift is toward heavier weights.—
David Hochman,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Beyond stock selection, Jim touches on portfolio construction and the characteristics that distinguish an ordinary investment from a truly exceptional one.—
Paulina Likos,Zev Fima,
CNBC,
15 June 2026
-
And what begins as a bonding moment between Beulah and Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) quickly turns tense when Beulah touches a nerve by bringing up the Dutton family's complicated past.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Influences.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/influences. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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