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
Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
The group was founded in 2014 by La Jolla Country Day School music teacher Chad Przymus, blending traditional drumming with global and contemporary influences.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Aman’s modernist take on a classic ski chalet with minimalistic Asian influences is very much in keeping with the brand's aesthetic.
—Sophie Knight, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Feb. 2026
The record blends traditional Boricua sounds like bomba, plena and música jíbara with reggaeton, trap and pop influences that could shape both the musical direction and visual storytelling of the halftime show.
—Holly Alvarado, Oc Register, 6 Feb. 2026
The Super Bowl might be on the West Coast, but this upbeat dembow and reggaeton mashup, with a touch of a 1975 salsa sample, would make the perfect nod to the musical influences that inspired his new music.
—Pamela Avila, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
Your optimism may want to assist your peers, yet outside influences could entangle you in myriad complications.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
Often our sexuality in adulthood was formed by these negative influences.
—Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026
Across it, Thomas embraces maximalism, weaving together R&B, funk, and psychedelic rock to showcase his wide array of influences (everyone from D’Angelo to Jimi Hendrix) and talents as a multi-instrumentalist.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
Mike Schneider, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026
Araminta inadvertently influences Sophie’s reconnection with Benedict (Luke Thompson) out in the countryside after Sophie’s stepmother sends her packing.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2026
In practice, this includes many GS-13 through GS-15 positions, along with career attorneys, economists, scientists, and other technical specialists whose work materially influences policy outcomes.
—James Broughel, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
In these ways, the currency’s online reputation influences everything.
—William Jones, Ascend Agency, 30 Jan. 2026
The complaint also alleges the company forces venues into exclusive ticketing contracts and influences artists to use only its services.
—Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
The museum quickly became Canada’s center for the promotion of design, hosting more than 50 programs each year to teach people about how design influences every aspect of our lives.
—Allison Marsh, IEEE Spectrum, 24 Jan. 2026
According to Spark Biomedical, this stimulation regulates the nervous system and influences blood flow.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Jan. 2026
The type of bone used influences the nutritional profile, and prepackaged broths can have added salts or other ingredients.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
The Patriots’ philosophy is also circumstantial now, since its influences are varied.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
The group was founded in 2014 by La Jolla Country Day School music teacher Chad Przymus, blending traditional drumming with global and contemporary influences.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Aman’s modernist take on a classic ski chalet with minimalistic Asian influences is very much in keeping with the brand's aesthetic.
—Sophie Knight, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Feb. 2026
The record blends traditional Boricua sounds like bomba, plena and música jíbara with reggaeton, trap and pop influences that could shape both the musical direction and visual storytelling of the halftime show.
—Holly Alvarado, Oc Register, 6 Feb. 2026
The Super Bowl might be on the West Coast, but this upbeat dembow and reggaeton mashup, with a touch of a 1975 salsa sample, would make the perfect nod to the musical influences that inspired his new music.
—Pamela Avila, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
Your optimism may want to assist your peers, yet outside influences could entangle you in myriad complications.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
Often our sexuality in adulthood was formed by these negative influences.
—Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026
Across it, Thomas embraces maximalism, weaving together R&B, funk, and psychedelic rock to showcase his wide array of influences (everyone from D’Angelo to Jimi Hendrix) and talents as a multi-instrumentalist.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
Verb
The Texas economy has been growing, but that is not the only thing that influences the inflow of potential migrants.
—Mike Schneider, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026
Araminta inadvertently influences Sophie’s reconnection with Benedict (Luke Thompson) out in the countryside after Sophie’s stepmother sends her packing.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2026
In practice, this includes many GS-13 through GS-15 positions, along with career attorneys, economists, scientists, and other technical specialists whose work materially influences policy outcomes.
—James Broughel, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
In these ways, the currency’s online reputation influences everything.
—William Jones, Ascend Agency, 30 Jan. 2026
The complaint also alleges the company forces venues into exclusive ticketing contracts and influences artists to use only its services.
—Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
The museum quickly became Canada’s center for the promotion of design, hosting more than 50 programs each year to teach people about how design influences every aspect of our lives.
—Allison Marsh, IEEE Spectrum, 24 Jan. 2026
According to Spark Biomedical, this stimulation regulates the nervous system and influences blood flow.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Jan. 2026
The type of bone used influences the nutritional profile, and prepackaged broths can have added salts or other ingredients.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 6 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for influences
Noun
-
Throw in different playing surfaces, and schedules that feature fewer days off between games, and those variables alter the assessment of the effects on expanding the seasons.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Feb. 2026
-
The Dallas Morning News examined the impact of policy changes and program eliminations by the Environmental Protection Agency to assess the effects on North Texas.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In Colorado, food insecurity affects 1 in 8 people.—
Jack Buffington,
Fortune,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Even just rolling your head in one direction affects how that sled tracks on the ice.—
Jayson Jenks,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
OneTeam Partners negotiates media deals and leverages players’ name, image and licensing rights.—
David Carrillo Peñaloza,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Vance Joseph’s defense in Denver is often predicated on playing certain leverages within man coverage.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Spotty flurries are possible Tuesday night, but impacts should be minimal.—
Joseph Dames,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Researchers show that triaxial deformation impacts charge radii in models that feature shell effects, in contrast to what could be concluded from a liquid drop analysis.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Woodard's philosophy is to put the best players on the field, which includes any freshman who impresses her.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
3 Feb. 2026
-
This particular model impresses with its trendy dark brown and pink colors, as well as its unique fit.—
Katharina Fuchs,
Glamour,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Federal authorities at the time said the man was arrested on suspicion of assault and unlawful possession of a firearm.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Ukrainian authorities haven't commented on the attack.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Everyone touches you all the time.—
Molly Aitken,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Luxe touches abound–like spacious outdoor showers, or mosquito netting over the beds that comes with an integrated cooling system for those humid Caribbean nights.—
Todd Plummer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In a video posted on Instagram on Thursday, Vonn squats with weights, lunges from side to side and does fast kicks against a ball.—
Michal Ruprecht,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The model’s core weights remain untouched, but the system can still adapt its behavior based on the task at hand.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Influences.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/influences. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
