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
Clayton Davis, Variety, 28 May 2025
Last month, Carey was notably shut out of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame despite her tangible and lasting cross-genre influence on music.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2025
Beren Cross, New York Times, 29 May 2025
The Testaments sequel novel, which published in 2019, influenced how series creator Bruce Miller and co-showrunners Eric Tuchman and Yahlin Chang could end the series: The show couldn’t end with June getting Hannah back, because Hannah is still in Gilead in The Testaments.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for influence
Noun
Is it determined by screen time, emotional depth, narrative significance or simply industry influence?
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 28 May 2025
Last month, Carey was notably shut out of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame despite her tangible and lasting cross-genre influence on music.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2025
Verb
Players who have successfully kept clubs up over the last few years have been profiled, and Leeds will be influenced by their findings.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 29 May 2025
The Testaments sequel novel, which published in 2019, influenced how series creator Bruce Miller and co-showrunners Eric Tuchman and Yahlin Chang could end the series: The show couldn’t end with June getting Hannah back, because Hannah is still in Gilead in The Testaments.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for influence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for influence
Noun
-
Koo Min Gyo, a professor at Seoul National University’s Graduate School of Public Administration, expects Mr. Lee to use his party’s sway over the different branches of government to extend his power, while diminishing and stifling his critics.—
Ann Scott Tyson,
Christian Science Monitor,
4 June 2025
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Yet all along, the defense establishment plan competed with a different vision promoted by radical right-wing parties that hold sway in the government.—
Assaf Orion,
Foreign Affairs,
3 June 2025
Noun
-
This warning is in effect until 6 p.m. How to react when facing a lightning hazard?—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
1 June 2025
-
In effect, a millionaire pays a smaller share of their income into Social Security than a middle-class teacher or nurse.—
Teresa Ghilarducci,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
Verb
-
Some have said that the dollar’s reserve currency status may be affected, perhaps diminished somewhat – which would have many ramifications, including a rise in the cost to the U.S. for financing its deficits.—
George Calhoun,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
-
Young boys’ development seems to have been particularly affected.—
Claire Cain Miller,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
Noun
-
Photo-illustration by Newsweek/Getty Welcome to the Age of Dumb Kissinger, where Washington is undermining its leverage, weakening alliances, and emboldening adversaries.—
Matt Robison,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 June 2025
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The exception is generational players, like Steph Curry and LeBron James, who have the leverage for long-term deals.—
Lillian Rizzo,
CNBC,
5 June 2025
Noun
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Topline Best Buy on Thursday lowered full-year forecasts for profits and sales for the retailer’s fiscal year 2026, citing likely impacts of tariffs on business, becoming the latest company to flag concerns and cut projections, citing uncertainty over U.S. tariffs.—
Ty Roush,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
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The justices appeared uncertain in the oral arguments about how to remedy the sweeping use by district judges of nationwide injunctions, which could have a significant impact on the high court’s emergency docket.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
29 May 2025
Verb
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Harrison impressed in that performance, submitting former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm by submission in the second round at UFC 400.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
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With a home this special, of course, the primary suite — with its two levels and four rooms — would also be designed to impress.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
4 June 2025
Noun
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The coastal California mansion of Beanie Babies billionaire Ty Warner was the scene of a violent break-in that left a woman in a coma, authorities say.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
29 May 2025
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Speaking at a press briefing in 2022, Chen Lei, an inspector from Xinjiang’s Rural Revitalization Bureau, indicated that the authorities aimed to increase the number of workers moved to other parts of China by a third in 2023 to more than 38,000, according to a government report posted online.—
David Pierson,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Influence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/influence. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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