influence 1 of 2

noun

ˈin-ˌflü-ən(t)s How to pronounce influence (audio)
Definition of influencenext
1
as in sway
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 effect
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

influence

2 of 2

verb

as in to affect
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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word influence distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of influence are authority, credit, prestige, and weight. While all these words mean "power exerted over the minds or behavior of others," influence may apply to a force exercised and received consciously or unconsciously.

used her influence to get the bill passed

When can authority be used instead of influence?

While in some cases nearly identical to influence, authority implies the power of winning devotion or allegiance or of compelling acceptance and belief.

his opinions lacked authority

When might credit be a better fit than influence?

The words credit and influence can be used in similar contexts, but credit suggests influence that arises from the confidence of others.

his credit with the press

Where would prestige be a reasonable alternative to influence?

The synonyms prestige and influence are sometimes interchangeable, but prestige implies the ascendancy given by conspicuous excellence or reputation for superiority.

the prestige of the newspaper

When could weight be used to replace influence?

In some situations, the words weight and influence are roughly equivalent. However, weight implies measurable or decisive influence in determining acts or choices.

their wishes obviously carried much weight

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 influence
Noun
The second is to ensure that the facts surrounding John O’Keefe’s death are fully fairly aired in the courtroom without outside influence. — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2025 The question of whether a homegrown act with a major K-pop influence can cross over, and truly take root, in the notoriously discerning British mainstream is more complex. — Sophie Williams, Billboard, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
Below, 18 members of Forbes Coaches Council share key strategies to help Gen-Z job seekers make a splash in a job market increasingly influenced by AI. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025 This in conjunction with a present-focused mentality, make some people more prone to be influenced by pet-fluencers than human social media personalities. — Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for influence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for influence
  1. sway
  2. effect
  3. affect
  4. leverage
  5. impact
  6. impress
  7. authority
Noun
  • Nigel Slater’s paean to the likes of St. John and the River Café, places that still hold sway today.
    — Amiel Stanek, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 Apr. 2025
  • At that point, rather than consulting someone who obsesses over how caffeine focuses us by blocking adenosine receptors in the basal forebrain, philosophers should hold sway.
    — Jessica Riskin, The New York Review of Books, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of sway
Noun
  • Pending a final regulatory review, the rules are expected to go into effect for the upcoming season.
    — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The postal service’s current prices went into effect on January 19, the agency said on its website.
    — Saleen Martin, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of effect
Verb
  • The precise extent of the cancellations and the specific products affected remain unclear.
    — Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The bill's requirement to show proof of citizenship in person would affect millions more voters who do have the documentation but register by mail or online, the Brennan Center said.
    — Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of affect
Noun
  • Federal District Judge Dale E. Ho last week dismissed the charges against Mr. Adams with prejudice, meaning prosecutors can no longer revisit them, reducing the administration’s leverage to force the mayor to do its bidding.
    — Jeffery C. Mays, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Your consultants will highlight such risks to PE firms, providing leverage in negotiations and ensuring compliance post-acquisition.
    — David Van Ronk, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of leverage
Noun
  • Large impacts, like collisions with asteroids or comets, could also have influenced Mars’s climate.
    — Jonathan O’Callaghan, JSTOR Daily, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Evaluating sea-level rise impact zones: The Navigator enables precise mapping of low-lying coastal areas at risk from rising sea levels.
    — Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of impact
Verb
  • Doctors are perpetually recommending Birkenstocks for foot issues, and they’re reportedly impressed by the quality of these alternatives, too.
    — Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Jaxson Dart impressed scouts at his pro day and may have done enough to pull a Bo Nix and sneak into the first round.
    — Fox News Staff, FOXNews.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of impress
Noun
  • State police arrested a woman in connection with a March crash that killed a pedestrian in Pulaski County, authorities said.
    — Remington Miller, Arkansas Online, 9 Apr. 2025
  • As the pulse of Hollywood, The Hollywood Reporter brings a distinctive voice backed by 95 years of history, giving us unparalleled access and authority in the entertainment world.
    — THR Staff, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of authority

Phrases Containing influence

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inflows
influence
influenced
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Cite this Entry

“Influence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/influence. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

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