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
Critics of the Trump administration say its efforts to nullify the agency will cripple American influence overseas and carry devastating effects for some of the most vulnerable populations in the world, which relied on U.S. funding for health care, food, and other basic needs. — Lucien Bruggeman, ABC News, 18 Mar. 2025 This may have been owing to the influence of her brother, now not only a celebrated writer but also a celebrated patriot. — Jill Lepore, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
Robbins noticed that perception of the events was influenced by whose point of view was being shared. — Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025 In an effort to influence public opinion, ByteDance has flooded the country with TikTok ad campaigns, which only heighten suspicions about the true nature of TikTok’s current operations. — John Moolenaar, National Review, 18 Mar. 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
  • Hosted by the Ekman Group and organized jointly with the Swedish Fashion Council, CTF works to underline the sway of stakeholder synergies within the industry.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 6 Mar. 2025
  • These figures seem to hold extraordinary sway over the President, who may see, in their taste for drawing theories of the universe from the growth of their own enterprises, a reflection of himself.
    — Nathan Heller, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
Definition of sway
Noun
  • Businesses have been warning investors about tariffs, inflation and growing uncertainty about the effect on costs.
    — Damian J. Troise and Alex Veiga, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Steel Nomad's regular and Light subtests focus on APIs more commonly used for game development, like Metal and DirectX 12, to assess gaming geometry and particle effects.
    — PCMAG, PCMAG, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of effect
Verb
  • His footwork, his mindset, and he’s not affected by having one bad play.
    — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 20 Mar. 2025
  • This power shift comes at the direct expense of the collar counties — DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will — leaving suburban residents with little say over policies that affect their daily commutes and wallets.
    — Seth Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of affect
Noun
  • Democrats saw the pending shutdown as a point of leverage against President Donald Trump and Republicans, who control both chambers of Congress.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Schumer, by opting against the filibuster that serves as the Democrats’ single greatest instrument of leverage, declined to force GOP leaders to take that step.
    — Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of leverage
Noun
  • The fourth force is climate and acts of nature, which throughout history, has had a bigger impact and killed more people than wars, said Dalio.
    — Ernestine Siu, CNBC, 18 Mar. 2025
  • The festival will also host on April 12 an industry day that will gather industry professionals around panels discussing the impact of AI in cinema, covering creation, financing and changes in film production.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of impact
Verb
  • Sitting at 20-12 on the season, North Carolina knows that a strong showing in the ACC Tournament is crucial to impressing the selection committee and locking down a spot in the Big Dance.
    — Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
  • The style even impressed one shopper who hates sneakers, but gave these a try after their podiatrist suggested the brand.
    — Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of impress
Noun
  • Following the call, Moscow authorities began taking down an installation supporting Russia's war in Ukraine that have stood in front of the American embassy in Moscow since 2023.
    — Charles Maynes, NPR, 18 Mar. 2025
  • The 2014 local law bars city police and other departments from cooperating with federal authorities on civil immigration detainers, and was reaffirmed unanimously by the City Council last December.
    — arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of authority

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Cite this Entry

“Influence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/influence. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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