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Definitions

influence

[in-floo-uhns] / ˈɪn flu əns /
NOUN
power, authority
Synonyms
STRONGEST
clout consequence control domination effect force impact importance leadership leverage money pressure prestige repercussion reputation significance weight
STRONG
access agency ascendancy character command connections credit direction dominion drag esteem fame fix grease guidance hold imprint in juice magnetism mark moment monopoly network notoriety predominance prerogative prominence pull ropes rule spell supremacy sway
Antonyms
STRONGEST
beginning cause commencement insignificance origin powerlessness source start triviality unimportance weakness
STRONG
subordination
WEAK
impotence incapacity inferiority
VERB
lead to believe, do
Synonyms
STRONGEST
affect alter arouse bias change determine guide impress manipulate persuade prejudice prompt regulate shape sway
STRONG
brainwash bribe channel compel control count direct dispose form impel incite incline induce instigate modify mold move predispose prevail rouse rule seduce sell snow soft sell train turn urge
WEAK
act upon argue into be recognized bring to bear carry weight get at have a part in impact on pull strings talk into work upon
Antonyms
STRONGEST
be fair be just continue keep leave alone neglect prevent remain stay stop
STRONG
delay deter discourage disenchant dissuade halt hinder mismanage

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.

Who has had the greatest influence on your work?

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

It’s about how financial incentives influence the kinds of scientific risks that drug companies are willing to take.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

Maybe it was an extension of that apparently insatiable desire for admiration—for some men, perhaps votes and endorsements and political influence aren’t enough; they need random women to approve of literally all of them.

From Slate • Apr. 15, 2026

To test this concept, the researchers used an agent-based simulation to model how life might spread across star systems and influence planetary properties.

From Science Daily • Apr. 15, 2026

Striving to be recognized as a world power as well as a European power, Germany sought to extend its influence in the few remaining areas of the world that were not under European rule.

From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman

Vocabulary lists containing influence

Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List

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TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)

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The Watsons Go to Birmingham

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