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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of influences
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2025
In recent years, celebrations for the Day of the Dead have taken on new influences, some gleaned from Hollywood.
—Rocío Muñoz-Ledo, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
The city’s dishes are deeply tied to its historic roots, blending Cajun, Creole and Southern influences to create savory cuisine like gumbo, jambalaya, crawfish étouffée, red beans and rice and po’ boy sandwiches.
—Dontaira Terrell, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
At the micro level, however, the influences of different vices become more clear.
—Dan Brooks, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2025
These twin influences, religious fervor and a preoccupation with dangerous men, would go on to define the next six decades of the director’s working life, finding expression as a conviction that even scoundrels are in possession of a soul.
—Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 31 Oct. 2025
The bars further the theme of NLE as a figure sent to cleanse the rap world of allegedly negative influences.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2025
Paying homage to the film and horror influences of Troma, the album’s cover was designed by Four Finger Distro founder and musician Jeep Ward, also known as DJ Halo.
—Sophia Arndt, Twin Cities, 29 Oct. 2025
As befitting a complex competition featuring 16 different sports and innumerable geopolitical influences, the 2026 Olympics are being carefully watched by athletes, organizers and Olympics observers for a number of reasons.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 29 Oct. 2025
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
Stretching is an additional tool that improves flexibility, reduces stress, and favorably influences blood pressure, which is linked to long-term cardiovascular risk, Grant said.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2025
The psychological impact of recognition creates a halo effect, where the award’s prestige influences guest perceptions across all touchpoints.
—Ascend Agency, Oc Register, 21 Oct. 2025
However, some data suggests magnesium influences several pathways in your body that are responsible for lowering circulating volume (the total amount of blood within the circulatory system).
—Laura Schober, Health, 21 Oct. 2025
Then there’s also immigration that influences the accent — like, South Philly’s a little different because there are more Italians there.
—Carole Horst, Variety, 20 Oct. 2025
According to a recent Canva job market research report, 88% of job seekers believe a polished digital presence influences hiring decisions, which is up 45% from the year before.
—Krysta Escobar, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2025
Golden State lost in seven games to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals, so maybe that influences the calculus for OKC.
—Stan Son, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
Considering how often pop culture influences baby names, this is one hell of a coincidence.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2025
In recent years, celebrations for the Day of the Dead have taken on new influences, some gleaned from Hollywood.
—Rocío Muñoz-Ledo, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
The city’s dishes are deeply tied to its historic roots, blending Cajun, Creole and Southern influences to create savory cuisine like gumbo, jambalaya, crawfish étouffée, red beans and rice and po’ boy sandwiches.
—Dontaira Terrell, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
At the micro level, however, the influences of different vices become more clear.
—Dan Brooks, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2025
These twin influences, religious fervor and a preoccupation with dangerous men, would go on to define the next six decades of the director’s working life, finding expression as a conviction that even scoundrels are in possession of a soul.
—Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 31 Oct. 2025
The bars further the theme of NLE as a figure sent to cleanse the rap world of allegedly negative influences.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2025
Paying homage to the film and horror influences of Troma, the album’s cover was designed by Four Finger Distro founder and musician Jeep Ward, also known as DJ Halo.
—Sophia Arndt, Twin Cities, 29 Oct. 2025
As befitting a complex competition featuring 16 different sports and innumerable geopolitical influences, the 2026 Olympics are being carefully watched by athletes, organizers and Olympics observers for a number of reasons.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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
Stretching is an additional tool that improves flexibility, reduces stress, and favorably influences blood pressure, which is linked to long-term cardiovascular risk, Grant said.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2025
The psychological impact of recognition creates a halo effect, where the award’s prestige influences guest perceptions across all touchpoints.
—Ascend Agency, Oc Register, 21 Oct. 2025
However, some data suggests magnesium influences several pathways in your body that are responsible for lowering circulating volume (the total amount of blood within the circulatory system).
—Laura Schober, Health, 21 Oct. 2025
Then there’s also immigration that influences the accent — like, South Philly’s a little different because there are more Italians there.
—Carole Horst, Variety, 20 Oct. 2025
According to a recent Canva job market research report, 88% of job seekers believe a polished digital presence influences hiring decisions, which is up 45% from the year before.
—Krysta Escobar, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2025
Golden State lost in seven games to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals, so maybe that influences the calculus for OKC.
—Stan Son, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for influences
Noun
-
Different types of fiber have different effects on the body.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
29 Oct. 2025
-
This week, those effects point to cheaper short-term money, a debate about December, and a high premium on the Fed’s forward guidance.—
Robert Daugherty,
Forbes.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Both sides issued statements blaming each other for the standoff, which affects over 10 million subscribers nationwide.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Seborrheic Dermatitis Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic (long-term) skin condition that affects areas with a lot of oil, including the scalp.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
30 Oct. 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
-
The pair played key roles in ensuring West Ham’s safety, and Nuno will hope potential arrivals have similar impacts.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Other countries, including the Dominican Republic and Haiti, also felt the cataclysmic impacts of Melissa.—
Mitchell McCluskey,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 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
-
Two people died after lower rooms flooded in New York City on Thursday as heavy rain drenched the region, authorities said.—
Phil Helsel,
NBC news,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Immigration authorities use the airport in Gary to conduct deportation flights.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The film touches upon very different subjects, but overall, the underpinning of this film is that society changes, and there’s a tectonic shift in American society and the society becomes a different place from one year to the sixth year.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
30 Oct. 2025
-
How the ball bounces off the floor and touches your hand, and that integrated with that inside-out dribble and footwork that goes with it, to be aggressive to get to the basket or shoot the ball.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In real materials, large angles that could create bigger matrix weights also stiffen the input path, reducing motion at the output.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Holding this position, row the weights up to your hips by bending your elbows to a 45-degree angle.—
Leoni Jesner,
Health,
1 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Influences.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/influences. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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