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
Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Goodman’s novel is a tribute to her influences, and a crackling joy to read.
—Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
The piece blends Western string textures with Chinese, Javanese and Korean musical influences.
—Jane Levere, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
With architecture that blends the brutalism and folk influences of Eastern Europe with the classicism of Western Europe, Finland is an understated design destination.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 6 Sep. 2025
Cultural influences can play a role, too, and some numbers are considered lucky or unlucky in different traditions.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Flynn highlights the eclectic and collected vibes trending now since the 70s was all about mixing patterns and global influences.
—Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2025
In The Conjuring of America, Stewart finds the conjure woman’s influences in unexpected places.
—Danielle Amir Jackson, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025
Williams reaches for all of her influences and sprinkles samples of them onto Ego Death songs.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2025
Sherri Gordon, Parents, 9 Sep. 2025
This guides both the fashion influences the company chooses to follow, as well as the creation of functional, emotionally durable garments.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 8 Sep. 2025
Missing from the discussion is the fact that justice is one dimension of character that influences bias, prejudice, and bullying.
—Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Designers typically ignored how pad thickness or surface area influences performance.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2025
Their lab now influences how global companies specify components and design for longevity, safety, and ROI, helping prevent thermal runaway propagation, mitigate corrosion, and elevate system ruggedness.
—Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Combining the tallies certainly influences the film’s dominance since these weekly viewership totals are still contributing to its overall 91-day premiere performance, which will be solidified on the most popular list when all is said and done.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2025
And interestingly, research has shown that the demographic makeup of human raters significantly influences model behavior.
—ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2025
This influences how vaccines are given.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
This roster runs particularly deep, from the boogie-woogie blues (Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters) to the bar rock scene (Smashing Pumpkins, Fall Out Boy) and the extensive hip-hop multiverse (where both gospel and drill influences abound).
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Goodman’s novel is a tribute to her influences, and a crackling joy to read.
—Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
The piece blends Western string textures with Chinese, Javanese and Korean musical influences.
—Jane Levere, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
With architecture that blends the brutalism and folk influences of Eastern Europe with the classicism of Western Europe, Finland is an understated design destination.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 6 Sep. 2025
Cultural influences can play a role, too, and some numbers are considered lucky or unlucky in different traditions.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Flynn highlights the eclectic and collected vibes trending now since the 70s was all about mixing patterns and global influences.
—Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2025
In The Conjuring of America, Stewart finds the conjure woman’s influences in unexpected places.
—Danielle Amir Jackson, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025
Williams reaches for all of her influences and sprinkles samples of them onto Ego Death songs.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
That's a variable that influences the outcome of a study and sometimes even creates a false association.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 9 Sep. 2025
This guides both the fashion influences the company chooses to follow, as well as the creation of functional, emotionally durable garments.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 8 Sep. 2025
Missing from the discussion is the fact that justice is one dimension of character that influences bias, prejudice, and bullying.
—Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Designers typically ignored how pad thickness or surface area influences performance.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2025
Their lab now influences how global companies specify components and design for longevity, safety, and ROI, helping prevent thermal runaway propagation, mitigate corrosion, and elevate system ruggedness.
—Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Combining the tallies certainly influences the film’s dominance since these weekly viewership totals are still contributing to its overall 91-day premiere performance, which will be solidified on the most popular list when all is said and done.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2025
And interestingly, research has shown that the demographic makeup of human raters significantly influences model behavior.
—ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2025
This influences how vaccines are given.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for influences
Noun
-
It’s not fully fleshed out, but a parallel could be made to the effects of anxiety and trauma, and the unhealthy coping mechanisms that accompany them.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Research on its gut health effects is mixed.—
Abby Norman,
Verywell Health,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Diabetes is a common condition that affects about 38 million people in the United States, and nearly 95% of those diabetes cases are type 2 diabetes.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Cancer affects individuals differently, but is life-changing for everyone.—
Janelle Ash,
FOXNews.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Discovery over notification leverages comprehensive analytics to actively identify anomalies rather than waiting for user reports.—
Akhilesh Tripathi,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
-
FashFind leverages computer vision paired with machine learning algorithms to identify the unique attributes submitted products have—whether that’s color, fabric type, patterns, silhouette, length or otherwise.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
From Silicon Valley to Ely and East Last Vegas, our communities have seen the impacts of decades of cuts to public education.—
Erica Mosca,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Finally, Hunter-Cooper published a 2023 study which found that hot yoga sessions lower blood pressure and reduce the negative impacts of a high sodium diet among participants.—
Lauren Leffer,
Popular Science,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
While obviously talented, Hubbard impresses teammates and coaches with other skills as well.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The property impresses with on-site Mediterranean cuisine at Le Bizazz and an enviable art collection, complete with a sculpture room.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Ayman Soliman, a former hospital chaplain, has been detained by immigration authorities since July after losing his asylum status.—
Victoria Moorwood,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The couple is accused of killing their 7-month-old son despite the fact that authorities have yet to find the infant's remains.—
Chris Spargo,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The concept touches on many of the topics driving political debate across the United States, from criminal justice reform and diversity, equity, and inclusion to affirmative action and immigration.—
John Scott Lewinski,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
-
These touches not only boost revenue but also reduce manual effort.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
With the weights positioned in front of you together, bring your arms out to the side towards the ceiling.—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The classes themselves, with their elegant movements and light weights, are descendants of those acceptable feminine exercises of yore — think of the long tennis skirt swapped for leggings and a cute sports bra.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN Money,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Influences.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/influences. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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