INFLUENCE Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

influence 1 of 2

noun

ˈin-ˌflü-ən(t)s

Definition of influence next

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples 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

Islam likely travelled to the region with Arab traders, but the erasure of earlier worship systems was the result of a series of knotty events entwined with foreign influences bent on the very existence of the small nation as an integral unit. —

Rob Crossan, JSTOR Daily, 17 Jan. 2025 With America’s population shifting to the South, political influence is seeping from reliably Democratic states to areas controlled by Republicans. —

Jonathan J. Cooper and Kevin S. Vineys, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025

Verb

Joining him in the White House will be a raft of top advisors from the world of business — including Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy — who are expected to influence policy thinking around nascent technologies such as AI and cryptocurrencies. —

Ryan Browne, CNBC, 6 Jan. 2025 With just over two weeks left before the Biden administration ends, this could be one of Murthy's last chances to influence the outcome. —

Sarah D. Wire, USA TODAY, 4 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for influence

Recent Examples of Synonyms for influence

Noun

Concepts of drag comedy and nonbinary people held a different sort of weight, and the cross-dressing escapades in the movie, as two hapless male musicians flee the mob by donning dresses and joining an all-women band, didn’t hold the same sort of comedic sway.

Chad Jones, The Mercury News, 11 Jan. 2025
In space, a previous gentleman’s agreement on warfare no longer holds sway, while there is a constant fight for one-upmanship in the Arctic and in the race to dominate critical minerals.

Washington Examiner Staff, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 9 Jan. 2025