INFLUENCES Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

influences 1 of 2

noun

plural of influence

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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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

influences

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of influence

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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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

Noun

The result is, literally, a mash-up of everything about the couple’s style, taste, backgrounds, and influences. — Plum Sykes, Architectural Digest, 9 Oct. 2026 Bowie was an admirer or German Expressionism, dating back to his years in Berlin in the ’70s, and also of School of London artists Leon Kossoff and Frank Auerbach — the influences of which can all be seen in his own work. — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026 Dinner incorporates international influences and local seafood. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026 Shane Smith is known for being the lead singer of Shane Smith & The Saints, which is a country band whose music has heavy influences of red dirt and Americana. — David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026 Jay told Rubin that his intention for The Blueprint 3 was to record a truly international album that would pull musical influences from various corners of the globe. — John Kennedy, VIBE.com, 8 Oct. 2026 This comes because of both international circumstances, like the Iran War and the Ukraine War, as well as local influences, like the weeklong shutdown of the ExxonMobil refinery in Joliet. — Bernarda Malevska, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026 Her Vietnamese heritage and family’s traditions surrounding food helped inspire their business, which incorporates Vietnamese influences into hibachi-style cooking. — Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026 Hegseth has also pushed the military school system to introduce more coursework that draws from conservative and Christian influences. — Tiffany Stanley, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Verb

Kevin Mohatt | Reuters The Supreme Court heard a major case this week concerning an Intel retirement plan which could result in a decision that influences employers' appetite for private investments in 401(k)s. — Cheryl Winokur Munk, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026 AthenaZero is part of a more comprehensive research effort to understand how a robot’s physical construction influences its ability to manipulate objects. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026 One person influences another person, who influences somebody else. — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 6 Oct. 2026 In practical terms, what happens in your mouth influences your gut, and what happens in your gut influences your mouth. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2026 But this year that panel, which influences state and insurance vaccine policies, is caught in a court battle and the CDC hasn't updated its flu advice. — ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026 Wen said the financial infrastructure supporting that business therefore influences its ability to scale. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026 Software that increasingly influences human decisions deserves the same seriousness. — Puneet Gaur, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026 Epigenetics influences the development of schizophrenia in people who have genes associated with schizophrenia. — Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 26 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for influences

Noun

And Soorty’s Rebellion Noir concept leverages overdyeing, creating dark, moody denim.

— Sarah Jones, Footwear News, 3 Aug. 2026
According to Archer, Halo leverages technologies refined through nearly eight years of electric aircraft research and testing.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 23 July 2026

Definition of leverages

Noun

The woman tried to intervene as her father was being assaulted, and Gonzalez also allegedly attacked her, authorities said.

— Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
On Monday, Saudi authorities extended the airport’s closure until Saturday, and regional carriers have temporarily suspended flights.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of authorities

Noun

That core is currently expected to make landfall right on the border of Florida and Alabama late Friday night, but impacts will be felt as far east as Tallahassee, if not farther.

— Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
And if there’s any slowdown in demand for compute or need for compute, that has second, third, and ultimately fourth order impacts on projects that haven’t even been built yet.

— Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of impacts

Verb

Gunna somehow returns one of Gauff’s blistering serves into the net to kick off the clip, which impresses the 22-year-old tennis star.

— Michael Saponara, Billboard, 9 Oct. 2026
If Smith impresses in training camp, his non-guaranteed deal could be converted to a standard contract.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of impresses

Noun

Toward more capable robotic manipulation Robotic manipulation remains a major challenge as researchers work to develop machines that can interact reliably with objects of different shapes, weights, and textures.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
Pritzker's order also directs the Illinois Department of Transportation to consider extending the Illinois Harvest Permit program, which allows heavier truck weights on specified routes, into 2027.

— Bernarda Malevska, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of weights

Verb

The actor plays 007, of course, fighting against Javier Bardem’s Raoul Silva this time around in a story that touches on the very legacy of the big-screen super-spy.

— Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
Finishing touches on the church will wrap in the next few months and will include an ADA-accessible ramp.

— Nancy Jiang, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of touches

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influences

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Style

“Influences.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/influences. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of influences

noun

verb

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