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
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
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
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
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
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
Noun
-
In California, after mandatory-arrest laws went into effect, arrests of men increased by sixty per cent; arrests of women increased by four hundred per cent.—
Sarah Lustbader,
The New Yorker,
9 Mar. 2025
-
Clocks in most states leapt forward an hour this morning as Daylight Saving Time (DST) went into effect.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Due date for individuals and businesses in the entire states of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina and parts of Florida, Tennessee, and Virginia affected by severe storms and flooding from Hurricane Helene (☆) and Hurricane Milton.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
-
The two countries exchange a series of tit-for-tat levies affecting hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of goods.—
TIME,
TIME,
8 Mar. 2025
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
-
The company was not in compliance with the consolidated net leverage ratio covenant under its Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2024, but has entered into an amendment with lenders to waive the non-compliance, subject to certain refinancing milestones by June 30, 2025.—
Quartz Intelligence Newsroom,
Quartz,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
And Answers For Tuesday, March 18 Forests And Responsible Consumer Behavior Consumer choices significantly impact deforestation.—
Dianne Plummer,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
-
The show is turned on its head when the impact of Jamie’s time on the internet is realized.—
Lily Ford,
The Hollywood Reporter,
18 Mar. 2025
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 move was a bit surprising, as the outfielder – limited to DH duties thus far following Tommy John surgery – has impressed this spring and seemed to be in the running for a roster spot with Giancarlo Stanton out indefinitely.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
He has not been accused or charged with any crime The parents of a 20-year-old college student who went missing 12 days ago while on a spring break trip in the Dominican Republic are asking authorities to declare their daughter dead, according to authorities.—
Becca Longmire,
People.com,
18 Mar. 2025
-
The mother of one of three men who died from what authorities said was a combination of cocaine and fentanyl last year in Kansas City’s Northlandhas filed a lawsuit against two men accused of providing the drugs.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
18 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Influence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/influence. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share