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influence

[in-floo-uhns] / ˈɪn flu əns /




Usage

What are other ways to say influence? Influence is a personal and unofficial power derived from deference of others to one's character, ability, or station; it may be exerted unconsciously or may operate through persuasion: to have influence over one's friends. Authority is a power or right, usually because of rank or office, to issue commands and to punish for violations: to have authority over subordinates. Control is either power or influence applied to the complete and successful direction or manipulation of persons or things: to be in control of a project. 

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.

See Examples For:

Because of the size and influence of UC across the state, the UC course requirements determine aspiring students’ high school careers.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 23, 2026

Treasury yields influence borrowing costs across the economy, from the rates on new bonds issued by companies to the cost of taking out a mortgage.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 22, 2026

"Three decades on, its scale and influence remain extraordinary - a defining British record that continues to unite generations, fill stadiums and soundtrack lives," they noted.

From BBC Jul. 22, 2026

"I believe only civil society can influence these processes. While we are here defending rights, people went out and defended theirs," she said.

From Barron's Jul. 22, 2026

She must have been so powerful that she didn’t need to do anything to influence the waters.

From "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young

Musically, the Shears brothers aren’t shy about how their variety of influences affects their output.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 23, 2026

Refn, 55, got on a video call this week while in L.A. to talk about the unlikely impact of “Drive” and some of its more unexpected influences.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 23, 2026

Their earlier work, published in Physical Review D, examined how mass segregation influences the wide range of dark matter core densities observed in dwarf galaxies.

From Science Daily Jul. 14, 2026

This matters to everyday investors because it directly influences how cheap or expensive the market looks.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 13, 2026

I was taken away from all “spiritual” influences and for a long time did not see any of my old associates.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

The final effect of the sale of TSB to Banco Santander, a loss on the sale of an equity stake and another redundancy package in Spain all influenced Sabadell’s results, the analysts say.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 24, 2026

Among some 7,000 estranged parents surveyed in April a third believed their adult child’s therapist had influenced or recommended the decision to end the relationship.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 21, 2026

About 80% said it increased their curiosity about the South and influenced habits such as speech and fashion.

From BBC Jul. 17, 2026

As first-time producers, Locke and Connor also provided script notes that directly influenced the story.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 17, 2026

As much as he admired Paul and was influenced by his views, Jim sometimes felt overwhelmed by his friend’s self-assurance and charisma.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French

All these paths to influencing the Constitution are vital to our ability to function as a self-governing republic of equal citizens.

From Slate Jul. 20, 2026

Alessi added that a brewing "super" El Nino in the equatorial Pacific could also be influencing the heat dome.

From Barron's Jul. 10, 2026

Beyond influencing how people respond to snake encounters, the researchers say the myth has also affected how rattlesnakes are treated.

From Science Daily Jul. 10, 2026

Van Herpen says her scientific-themed collection "is about those forces that are influencing us in daily life but that we don't know so much about".

From BBC Jul. 9, 2026

Perhaps Gaia was whispering in Octavian’s ear, influencing his decisions subconsciously.

From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan




Vocabulary lists containing influence


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