1
as in authoritative
having power over the minds or behavior of others
in light of the effect that they have had, religious leaders such as Jesus and Muḥammad must be regarded as among the most influential people ever
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in powerful
having great power or influence
a particularly influential politician got the team a new ballpark
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of influential
The employment contract for the high-profile leader of the influential Capital Region Development Authority was extended until the end of the year, as the quasi-public agency’s board of directors deliberates on naming a successor.
—
Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 12 June 2025
But Kirkpatrick, who was from Gainesville, and other influential lawmakers worked to keep the dam.
—Jim Saunders, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 June 2025
The fallout could have significant implications for GOP politics moving forward, as Musk remains a highly influential figure in the tech world and contributed nearly $300 million to support Republicans in the 2024 elections.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
However, the attributes that make someone truly effective in a comms leadership role are often less flashy, and far more influential, than many people may realize.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for influential
Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 12 June 2025
But Kirkpatrick, who was from Gainesville, and other influential lawmakers worked to keep the dam.
—Jim Saunders, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 June 2025
The fallout could have significant implications for GOP politics moving forward, as Musk remains a highly influential figure in the tech world and contributed nearly $300 million to support Republicans in the 2024 elections.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
However, the attributes that make someone truly effective in a comms leadership role are often less flashy, and far more influential, than many people may realize.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for influential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for influential
Adjective
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Others believe Wilcox to be among the most impressive operators at his level, appreciating his unassuming but authoritative manner.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
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Another authoritative industry figure who presented at Gem Genève was Rui Galopim de Carvalho, FGA, DGA, author of Gempedia: A Comprehensive Glossary For Gemstones and Gemmology.—
Kyle Roderick,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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Mahle has developed new batteries, controller and display to go with the powerful mid-drive, along with a bunch of accessories.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 June 2025
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As Israel’s most powerful ally, the U.S. has tried for years to mediate an end to Iran’s nuclear program.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
15 June 2025
Adjective
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This is one of the most important services of their lives.—
Buddha Lo,
People.com,
13 June 2025
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But what’s even more important is how the couple got together in the first place.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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Values, Legacy, and Portfolio Alignment A significant shift across recent reports highlights how families are increasingly aligning their investments with their core values.—
Francois Botha,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
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However, there's a significant difference between containing and controlling a wildfire.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
15 June 2025
Adjective
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Signet, dominant in bridal jewelry, sees greater potential in the larger fashion segment.—
Pamela N. Danziger,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
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The opening two days and five games of the Club World Cup have witnessed a 10-goal thumping, a dominant performance from Europe’s champions, struggles for the best from the U.S., passionate fans on the streets and reasonable attendances in the stadiums.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
Adjective
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According to research from Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit that advocates for gun control, strong gun control laws are correlated with fewer gun deaths.—
Elliot Hughes,
Journal Sentinel,
13 Jan. 2023
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This results in a charge imbalance that builds up an electric field strong enough to trigger flashes of lightning.—
National Geographic,
National Geographic,
13 Jan. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Influential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/influential. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.
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