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
Nicholas Derenzo, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2026
The best restaurants in Sicily aren't hard to find—in fact, the ultimate way to explore Sicily’s layered history and mosaic of cultural influences is with the palate.
—Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Jan. 2026
Exposed to John Coltrane’s classic quartet by bandmate Phil Lesh, Weir’s early folk influences were supplanted by a vision of becoming the rhythm guitar equivalent of McCoy Tyner’s left hand.
—Jesse Jarnow, Pitchfork, 12 Jan. 2026
The band had a range of influences, from blues and psychedelia, to country, folk and blues.
—Adam Levine, CNN Money, 11 Jan. 2026
Other surprises include references to relevant Detroit streets, design influences from GM’s famed design campus in suburban Detroit and artwork and sculptures of its products.
—Michael Wayland, CNBC, 11 Jan. 2026
Questioning the powerful influences that oversee and fund what our children learn is critical.
—Shelley Smith Special To The Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 10 Jan. 2026
While 2025 denim was nearly a carbon copy of 2024—loose fits, Western influences, denim coordinates and minimal distressing—2026 could see an injection of newness.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 5 Jan. 2026
Hormonal influences are also important, says Reese, particularly because autoimmune diseases disproportionately affect women and often emerge during reproductive years or following major hormonal shifts such as pregnancy.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026
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
Dish details the extent to which Disney influences the market.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Another factor that influences absorption is the form of nutrients used in dietary supplements.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 4 Jan. 2026
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Tennessee and New York are all considering or enforcing rules that require disclosure and human review when AI influences utilization review or claims outcomes.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 2 Jan. 2026
One behavior influences many positive outcomes.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 1 Jan. 2026
While the Fed influences short-term interest rates, mortgage rates track longer-term Treasury yields — and the 10-year Treasury, in particular — because those yields reflect investor expectations for inflation, economic growth and overall risk.
—Brendan Dyer, CBS News, 29 Dec. 2025
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
Noun
The menu draws on international influences—pork schnitzel, Japanese noodle soup, chimichurri beef fillet—but my favorite dishes were rooted in place, including a simple local braised cabbage and a tangy sorbet made from baobab fruit.
—Nicholas Derenzo, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2026
The best restaurants in Sicily aren't hard to find—in fact, the ultimate way to explore Sicily’s layered history and mosaic of cultural influences is with the palate.
—Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Jan. 2026
Exposed to John Coltrane’s classic quartet by bandmate Phil Lesh, Weir’s early folk influences were supplanted by a vision of becoming the rhythm guitar equivalent of McCoy Tyner’s left hand.
—Jesse Jarnow, Pitchfork, 12 Jan. 2026
The band had a range of influences, from blues and psychedelia, to country, folk and blues.
—Adam Levine, CNN Money, 11 Jan. 2026
Other surprises include references to relevant Detroit streets, design influences from GM’s famed design campus in suburban Detroit and artwork and sculptures of its products.
—Michael Wayland, CNBC, 11 Jan. 2026
Questioning the powerful influences that oversee and fund what our children learn is critical.
—Shelley Smith Special To The Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 10 Jan. 2026
While 2025 denim was nearly a carbon copy of 2024—loose fits, Western influences, denim coordinates and minimal distressing—2026 could see an injection of newness.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 5 Jan. 2026
Hormonal influences are also important, says Reese, particularly because autoimmune diseases disproportionately affect women and often emerge during reproductive years or following major hormonal shifts such as pregnancy.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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
Dish details the extent to which Disney influences the market.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Another factor that influences absorption is the form of nutrients used in dietary supplements.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 4 Jan. 2026
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Tennessee and New York are all considering or enforcing rules that require disclosure and human review when AI influences utilization review or claims outcomes.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 2 Jan. 2026
One behavior influences many positive outcomes.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 1 Jan. 2026
While the Fed influences short-term interest rates, mortgage rates track longer-term Treasury yields — and the 10-year Treasury, in particular — because those yields reflect investor expectations for inflation, economic growth and overall risk.
—Brendan Dyer, CBS News, 29 Dec. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for influences
Noun
-
According to Haar, some law enforcement agencies are now employing more advanced rubber or foam bullet variants that contain capsaicin powder inside, further combining the blunt force trauma of the projectile with the effects of a chemical irritant.—
Graham Hurley,
CNN Money,
20 Jan. 2026
-
But learning to elicit a resilient response, instead, can transform the negative effects of stress and allow someone to evolve in a healthier way.—
Tara Narula,
Time,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Bird flu, a highly contagious airborne respiratory virus, affects poultry — including chickens, ducks and turkeys — and some wild bird species, including geese and shorebirds, the department said.—
Laura Fay,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Kalani has hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, a form of brain injury that affects muscle tone and mobility.—
Eva Remijan-Toba,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Yeh said that this revenue growth should improve operating leverages on the company’s future expenses, especially as Roku continues to invest in its sales and marketing and research and development.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
16 Dec. 2025
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The married duo leverages their bicultural expertise — Saucedo worked in China during the co-production boom of the 2010s, while Wang is fully immersed in the Chinese film and TV industry.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
13 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
According to Jabra’s research, 99% of knowledge workers say poor audio quality impacts their online meetings and call quality.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
-
One way that Maryland would dodge a significant winter storm, is if the storm remain much farther south - keeping wintry weather impacts confined to the deep south and southeast.—
Steven Sosna,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Higgs delivered in the way that Streets expect from a player who continually impresses his coaches with his maturity.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
-
What impresses Lanthimos most is Plemons’ willingness to relinquish control.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Communities that are considered sanctuary cities would implement policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Police have arrested a 31-year-old Baltimore man in connection with a fatal hit-and-run in the 2200 block of McCulloh Street, authorities said.—
Luke Parker,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This was designed to give something comfortable — the flexible FKM touches your skin— while maintaining a businesslike exterior.—
David Phelan,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Usually, once Brooks chooses to go one-on-one, no one else touches the basketball.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Los Angeles Chargers answered his email, donating extra footballs, cones, weights and assistance.—
Aaron Heisen,
Daily News,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Some shower curtains are designed with weights, magnets or even suction cups near their base to counteract this problem.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Influences.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/influences. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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