INFLUENCES Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

influences 1 of 2

noun

plural of influence

as in sways

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

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in effects

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

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influences

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of influence

as in affects

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

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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 influences

Noun

The owners’ favorite room is the bathroom, where Alpi California burl wood veneer—which is also featured in the bedorom—an Art Deco checkerboard floor, and a rustic handmade ceramic vase add vintage influences from different movements. —

Nicolas Milon, Architectural Digest, 30 May 2026 Executive chef Anand Singh, born in the Himalayan foothills and trained across six countries, runs a menu that moves between Indian live-fire cooking traditions and influences from Japan, China and Thailand. —

Winston Ross, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026 Over time, those influences blended into a distinctly Texan food culture tied to family gatherings, church events, county fairs, football games, political campaigning and rural identity. —

Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 29 May 2026 However, as these mega-projects often go, internal and external forces around him — represented by excessive drinking, exploitative influences, soulless corporate interests, and governmental distrust — cause his watery dream to slowly die. —

Jeff Spry, Space.com, 29 May 2026 Throughout the 19th century, as African and European influences permeated South America, the ingredients inside the hallaca began to change, and likely differed across region and class. —

Sophia Rey, JSTOR Daily, 28 May 2026 In an interview with AP News in April, the singer opened up about her dance-pop and house music influences, as well as her work as a DJ. —

Daniela Avila, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026 Italy’s recommendations are Bressanone (also known as Brixen), an Alpine town blending Italian and Austrian cultural influences, and Arco, a relaxed destination near Lake Garda suited to outdoor travelers. —

Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2026 The shape of the cosmos influences, among other things, how matter and light interacted in the early universe. —

Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 23 May 2026

Verb

Catching shifts early increases awareness of how your state influences your behavior. —

Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026 Water influences every aspect of our lives through a delicate cycle that transforms liquid water into vapor and back again. —

David Boutt, The Conversation, 26 May 2026 Taxpayers deserve far greater transparency about how the office influences higher education, economic development, land management and state policy. —

Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 21 May 2026 The bond market influences borrowing costs for things like mortgages, credit card loans and auto loans. —

Allie Canal, NBC news, 20 May 2026 Because the 10-year Treasury influences mortgage rates, borrowing costs could increase for homebuyers. —

Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 20 May 2026 Endometriosis About 25-50% of infertile women have endometriosis, which influences fertility in several ways. —

Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 20 May 2026 Here’s a look at how color influences jalapeño heat, plus tips on how to get your hands on the hottest jalapeños. —

Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 May 2026 The study found that locomotion strongly influences handedness patterns across primates. —

Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 16 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for influences

Noun

Climate models predict a continued, long-term decline of snowpack as the effects of climate change intensify.

— Evan Bush, NBC news, 2 June 2026
Losses from cattle afflicted by the parasite could run into the billions of dollars, with larger effects across the American economy, according to USDA estimates.

— Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 2 June 2026