sphere of influence

noun phrase

: a territorial area within which the political influence or the interests of one nation are held to be more or less paramount

Examples of sphere of influence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Focus individuals on timely data and their sphere of influence. —

Chris Ortbals, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024 Iran will continue to widen its sphere of influence and endanger civilization. —

Ari Shavit, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2024 Plus, reaching out to people outside your current sphere of influence builds confidence, which is essential for professional success. —

Caroline Castrillon, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024 While their forms of governance, ideologies, interests, and capabilities differ, these revisionist powers all want to entrench autocratic rule at home and assert spheres of influence abroad. —

Antony J. Blinken, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sphere of influence

Word History

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of sphere of influence was in 1885

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Sphere of influence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sphere%20of%20influence. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

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