Definitions

influential

[in-floo-en-shuhl] / ˌɪn fluˈɛn ʃəl /

ADJECTIVE

effective, powerful

Synonyms

STRONGEST

authoritative dominant famous important leading persuasive prominent significant strong

WEAK

affecting big-gun big-wheel controlling efficacious forcible governing guiding impressive inspiring instrumental major-league meaningful momentous moving name potent substantial telling touching weighty

Antonyms

STRONGEST

inconspicuous inferior insignificant obscure subordinate trivial unimportant unknown

WEAK

ineffective ineffectual uninfluential unmoving weak

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

While the idea was influential, it remained unproven because carbenes were known to be too unstable, especially in water, to capture or study.

From Science Daily • Apr. 11, 2026

Since 1999 — more than two decades as America’s most culturally influential music festival — music has dominated the spotlight at Coachella.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

This was taken at my first major championship in 1984 and turned into a hugely influential picture.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

Goldman Sachs and Visa are two names I’ve written about lately that will be more influential in the price-weighted index.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

The most influential of these exotic beats came from the dynamic rhythmic hub of Cuba.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

Vocabulary lists containing influential

Very Necessary: Synonyms for "Important"

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Latin Love, Vol II: fluere

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Unwind

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