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
Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 27 Oct. 2025
The frogs were found in three areas, and each area has significant human influences, according to the study.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
Owner Gary Leybman offers unique deli sandwiches and sides inspired by his childhood in Belarus, with a heavy dose of Cincinnati influences.
—Keith Pandolfi, Cincinnati Enquirer, 24 Oct. 2025
Certainly, one of my big influences, is the spirit of films, like those from Éric Rohmer.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 24 Oct. 2025
When those influences are very weak or absent, however — as is the case with Melissa — a storm can meander for days, dumping torrential amounts of rainfall on anyone unlucky enough to be nearby.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
The new album is described as leaning into the band's early post-punk and goth influences.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 21 Oct. 2025
The influences are obvious, from the contemporary to the more classic.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2025
In the bathroom and basement, seductive mirror effects evoke 1970s fantasies like those captured in Peter Schlesinger’s photo of a young Paloma Picasso and the aforementioned Tina Chow (who is one of Rueda’s earliest design influences) applying makeup.
—Amir Capogrossi Badreddine, Architectural Digest, 21 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
This means workbooks about the themes of a famous piece of classic literature, or perhaps a study guide on the influences of a particular author.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 27 Oct. 2025
The frogs were found in three areas, and each area has significant human influences, according to the study.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
Owner Gary Leybman offers unique deli sandwiches and sides inspired by his childhood in Belarus, with a heavy dose of Cincinnati influences.
—Keith Pandolfi, Cincinnati Enquirer, 24 Oct. 2025
Certainly, one of my big influences, is the spirit of films, like those from Éric Rohmer.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 24 Oct. 2025
When those influences are very weak or absent, however — as is the case with Melissa — a storm can meander for days, dumping torrential amounts of rainfall on anyone unlucky enough to be nearby.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
The new album is described as leaning into the band's early post-punk and goth influences.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 21 Oct. 2025
The influences are obvious, from the contemporary to the more classic.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2025
In the bathroom and basement, seductive mirror effects evoke 1970s fantasies like those captured in Peter Schlesinger’s photo of a young Paloma Picasso and the aforementioned Tina Chow (who is one of Rueda’s earliest design influences) applying makeup.
—Amir Capogrossi Badreddine, Architectural Digest, 21 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
-
Endometriosis affects about 10% of people who have periods.—
Wendy Wisner,
Health,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The recall affects about 357,000 products in addition to about 3,000 sold in Canada.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
Forecasters said flooding impacts may increase across western Jamaica next week.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
-
But the agency cautions WIC is not yet funded for fiscal year 2026 and shutdown impacts could be coming.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
None of these videos impresses.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Today, the park impresses with its modern engineering and renowned aesthetics.—
Zachary Laks,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
With no way to communicate, the surviving man, identified as Paul Council, located a canoe and made his way back to North Hero to alert the authorities of the incident.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Following Zhao’s resignation as CEO, Binance installed Richard Teng, a former financial regulator in the UAE and Singapore, as head of the company to telegraph to authorities that the exchange was focused on compliance.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Unlike the forefoot that touches the ground only with its hooves, the hind feet have a fleshy heel pad behind the hooves.—
Abhishek Bhardwaj,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
-
This question touches the very heart of the film.—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Many kitchen stores sell pie weights, oven-safe ceramic or metal balls that are used for this purpose.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
25 Oct. 2025
-
These items were then given individual weights for their effect on the total score.—
Jordan Green,
Nashville Tennessean,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Influences.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/influences. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share