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
In the Spanish-speaking world, leading conservative and free-market figures remain more influential on social media than think tanks.
—
Alejandro Antonio Chafuen, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
Fifty-seven percent of the survey’s respondents who had knowingly purchased an Energy Star product in the past year said the designation was very or somewhat influential in their purchasing decision.
—Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 8 May 2025
Her maternal grandmother, a massively influential figure in her life who taught art history and came to each of Showering’s openings, had recently died.
—Grace Edquist, Vogue, 8 May 2025
Anthony Milewski is the founder of The Oregon Group and an influential figure in the mining, metals and energy industries.
—Anthony Milewski, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for influential
Alejandro Antonio Chafuen, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
Fifty-seven percent of the survey’s respondents who had knowingly purchased an Energy Star product in the past year said the designation was very or somewhat influential in their purchasing decision.
—Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 8 May 2025
Her maternal grandmother, a massively influential figure in her life who taught art history and came to each of Showering’s openings, had recently died.
—Grace Edquist, Vogue, 8 May 2025
Anthony Milewski is the founder of The Oregon Group and an influential figure in the mining, metals and energy industries.
—Anthony Milewski, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for influential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for influential
Adjective
-
During her last five years as Deputy Bureau Chief, Chloe has brought her sharp editorial expertise and field experience to deliver authoritative coverage, competitive scoops and breaking news.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2025
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Despite widespread panic, Lee’s character has to look authoritative, calm and in control.—
Liz Rothaus Bertrand,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The annual meeting is an opportunity to celebrate the league's work over the past year, hear from a powerful advocate for Arkansas families and help shape the organization's direction for the future.—
Deb Harvell,
Arkansas Online,
11 May 2025
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Ventura's filing is now widely viewed as the initial string pulled in what has become the unraveling of one of music's most powerful men.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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And with at least one more season left in the ABC procedural’s future, an important decision needs to be made: Who will become the next captain of the 118?—
Andy Swift,
TVLine,
5 May 2025
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Isaac has done a terrible thing to this person, and that is important to see.—
Adam B. Vary,
Variety,
5 May 2025
Adjective
-
While reports differ as to whether costs are rising or falling in recent years, college tuition is still a significant expense, even with financial aid and scholarships.—
True Tamplin,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2025
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The barrier-breaking series revolutionized television and made significant contributions to representation on screen, with Ball's role as the lead seen as groundbreaking for the time.—
Virginia Chamlee,
People.com,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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And with more ad dollars moving to streaming and digital — arenas in which the TV networks are less dominant — the networks seem weaker, particularly as Amazon and Netflix join them as part of the upfront calendar.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
11 May 2025
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Like every successful side in these early years of the World Cup, Uruguay 1950 had an outstanding centre-half in Varela, who was physically dominant and also a key attacking weapon.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
11 May 2025
Adjective
-
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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Influential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/influential. Accessed 15 May. 2025.
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