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Definitions

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.

“Their stories, their lives, their power, their curves, it all influenced me,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times

But it has changed the voting rules for the 2026 contest to limit the influence of governments on the results.

From BBC

More recent studies have shown that physical factors such as tissue stiffness also influence how cells behave.

From Science Daily

The team also compared climate patterns with historical agricultural data to understand how moderate drought conditions influence food production.

From Science Daily

It hosts vital British military bases and acts as an intelligence, surveillance, and logistics hub in countering Iranian influence and proxy attacks.

From Los Angeles Times