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
Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 19 May 2026
Her influence also reached contemporary music through samples and interpolations used by artists including Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Timbaland, Major Lazer, and J Balvin.
—Preezy Brown, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026
Dianne Gallagher, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
Here are 3 things that could have influenced his decision.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for influence
Noun
Global flavors with heavy Asian influence are on the menu at a new Charlotte-area restaurant.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 19 May 2026
Her influence also reached contemporary music through samples and interpolations used by artists including Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Timbaland, Major Lazer, and J Balvin.
—Preezy Brown, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026
Verb
Toal determined those comments did not influence the jury’s verdict and denied Murdaugh’s request for a new trial.
—Dianne Gallagher, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
Here are 3 things that could have influenced his decision.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for influence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for influence
Noun
-
When the sway gets too risky, the captain closes some of the outer decks.—
Akash Kapur,
New Yorker,
12 May 2026
-
Environmentalists and tribal governments oppose those agreements, calling them an abdication of the state’s regulatory responsibility that gives irrigation districts too much sway over how much water will be allowed to flow through rivers and estuaries amid ongoing fishery and ecological decline.—
Andrew Graham
May 12,
Sacbee.com,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
The overall effect was magical; the pristine white of the orbs and the robed created a sheer background that further emphasized the already bright spectacle of the dancing, leaping players and the beasts alongside them.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
The Spanx Supersmooth SoftStretch Full-length Leggings offer light compression, creating an overall smoothing effect.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
The quick pivot didn’t affect the Dodgers much Friday.—
Liana Handler,
Los Angeles Times,
16 May 2026
-
Sources close to SkyShowtime said Paramount’s WBD deal had created palpable uncertainty among employees, leading to speculation about how the mega-merger will affect SkyShowtime’s shareholder structure.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
In many cases, the necessary leverage is already present within the cost structure.—
David Pennino,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
Iran’s threats are part of a strategy to demonstrate its leverage over the Strait of Hormuz and ensure the survival of the regime, a core objective for the Islamic Republic in this war, said Dina Esfandiary, Middle East lead at Bloomberg Economics.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Rowles is also making an impact at Marist in flag football.—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
-
Not even BriseBois anticipated James, who was signed as a free agent two days into training camp after his draft rights with the Blackhawks expired, would have made such a quick impact.—
Eduardo A. Encina,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
The singer was spotted on more than one occasion in New York with fiancé Travis Kelce and the couple was dressed to impress during the outings, with Swift strapping her feet into one of Aquazzura’s shiniest designs.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
18 May 2026
-
Though many decades older than Liu, Peele could not help but be impressed by Liu’s ability to be herself.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Chelsea’s squad demographic falls somewhere in between but is probably closer to the former than the latter, and a football legend with his resume should not encounter the authority problems faced by owner BlueCo’s previous hires.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
Health authorities said Congo has stockpiles of Ebola treatments and approximately 2,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine, though officials cautioned the vaccine is only effective against the Ebola Zaire strain and not against Sudan or Bundibugyo variants.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Influence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/influence. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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