Definitions

sphere of influence

NOUN

geographical area of influence

Synonyms

WEAK

ambit bailiwick mandate mandated territory niche orbit power base territory

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.

The next major milestone is expected overnight Sunday into Monday, at which point the astronauts will enter the "lunar sphere of influence," where the Moon's gravity will have stronger pull on the spacecraft than Earth's.

From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026

Across Iran’s sphere of influence Christian communities have experienced demographic collapse.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026

The Monroe Doctrine dates back to the U.S. president in 1823 who articulated his opposition to further European colonization of Latin America which he asserted would henceforth be a U.S. sphere of influence.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 30, 2025

Former US President Abraham Lincoln officially declared Liberia's independence in 1862 but the country retained a lot of US heritage and it remained in the American "sphere of influence" during the colonial period.

From BBC • Jul. 10, 2025

Roman women supported the efforts of their husbands, but their sphere of influence was small.

From "Sterling Biographies®: Cleopatra: Egypt's Last and Greatest Queen" by Susan Blackaby