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
Relevance
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
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of influence
The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
The multi-course tasting-menu experience will take guests through all parts of Korean fine dining—with touches of global influences—in an immersive experience, using seasonal ingredients and pieces of both land and sea as part of its offerings.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 12 Sep. 2025
Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 11 Sep. 2025
While topography will continue to influence fire spread, spotting potential and overall fire intensity are anticipated to decrease.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for influence
Noun
Lenox is the chef’s expression of his connection to this city, a unique melding of influences and ingredients that sings in his hands.
—The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
The multi-course tasting-menu experience will take guests through all parts of Korean fine dining—with touches of global influences—in an immersive experience, using seasonal ingredients and pieces of both land and sea as part of its offerings.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
Made viral by TikTok user Robyn Delmonte, the red-nail theory works similar to the manifestation manicure, in which wearing certain nail polish colors can help influence your future.
—Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 11 Sep. 2025
While topography will continue to influence fire spread, spotting potential and overall fire intensity are anticipated to decrease.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for influence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for influence
Noun
-
Traditionally, conservative parties held sway in Bangkok and Thailand’s south, while Thaksin’s heartland was the rural though populous rice-growing northeast.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Getting that crowd of Hollywood actors, supermodels, fashion designers and athletes in the same room for a group photo was a feat of complex calendar logistics requiring diplomacy and considerable industry sway.—
Fiona Sinclair Scott,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
It’s not fully fleshed out, but a parallel could be made to the effects of anxiety and trauma, and the unhealthy coping mechanisms that accompany them.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Research on its gut health effects is mixed.—
Abby Norman,
Verywell Health,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
If $3 billion in additional funding through 2090 isn't approved, and soon, tens of thousands of people from different genders, races and cultural backgrounds will be affected.—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Exchange rates affect everything from groceries to retirement.—
Tom Zachystal,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Bowlan will go over different notes from the pitching staff and check in with his veteran teammates for advice on pitch selection and how to handle high-leverage situations.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The aim shifts from corporate adoption to personal leverage.—
Curt Steinhorst,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
More generally, the Nepalese public criticized the government’s measures disproportionate impact on ordinary users.—
Nir Kshetri,
The Conversation,
14 Sep. 2025
-
The psychological impact of this shift cannot be overstated.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Royals have been impressed with Bowlan this season.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
-
ARMstrong Dex impressed again in a similar test, performing a series of dead-hang pull-ups with a 44-pound (20 kg) weight attached to it.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
His father, a hard-working Russian immigrant and patriotic US bomber pilot, taught him to respect authority.—
Martine Paris,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Under applicable law, judges are only expected to vacate an arbitration award in narrow circumstances, such as when the award is procured by fraud or when the arbitrator exceeded their contractual authority.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Influence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/influence. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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