1
as in sway
the power to direct the thinking or behavior of others usually indirectly
a mayor who doesn't hesitate to use her influence to get business leaders behind civic improvements
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in effect
the power to bring about a result on another
the basic premise of astrology is that the position of the stars has an influence on human affairs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to affect
to act upon (a person or a person's feelings) so as to cause a response
the news reports of the devastating flood influenced a great many people to make contributions for food and supplies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of influence
Erica Frantz, The Conversation, 16 May 2025
Critics have accused Qatar of seeking to gain influence in the Trump administration through the gift.
—Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 16 May 2025
Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
Her own love for the species, along with animals of all kinds, influenced her decision to study veterinary before realizing the job wasn't for her.
—Skyler Caruso, People.com, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for influence
Noun
And the best people for this job are those who never would have earned their position in politics without the leader’s influence.
—Erica Frantz, The Conversation, 16 May 2025
Critics have accused Qatar of seeking to gain influence in the Trump administration through the gift.
—Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 16 May 2025
Verb
These agencies assign ratings that influence borrowing costs, investor confidence, and global economic perceptions.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
Her own love for the species, along with animals of all kinds, influenced her decision to study veterinary before realizing the job wasn't for her.
—Skyler Caruso, People.com, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for influence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for influence
Noun
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At the same time, progressives held sway on issues like housing, where some of the most restrictive zoning in the country kept resident development stalled even as homelessness and encampments spread.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 May 2025
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The reshuffling came after conservative podcast host and influencer Laura Loomer exerted increasing sway on Trump's decision-making, encouraging Trump to fire two senior officials on the National Security Council after a White House visit.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
Noun
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That could lead the Fed to keep rates elevated until the duties – and their effects on consumption, business outlays and hiring – drive unemployment to about 4.7% by next year, the research firm said.—
Paul Davidson,
USA Today,
9 May 2025
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This shows one of the more harmful and somewhat invisible effects of subsidence.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
8 May 2025
Verb
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The Trump administration’s recent shift toward U.S. isolationism regarding global affairs — and particularly those more acutely affecting Europe, such as the war in Ukraine — piled pressure on the U.K. and European Union to agree on a deal.—
Holly Ellyatt,Silvia Amaro,
CNBC,
19 May 2025
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There’s no cure for it, but it’s been affecting me for years.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2025
Noun
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Now, Trump is using them as leverage for his larger trade ambitions.—
Andrew R. Chow,
Time,
14 May 2025
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Additionally, employers don’t have the leverage and scale to drive reimbursement changes or scale quality measures in the same manner that public programs can.—
Dan Mendelson,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
Noun
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If the case is appealed to a circuit court of appeals, that could broaden the impact because circuits span multiple states.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
18 May 2025
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But those resources have nearly all been exhausted, and the impact can be seen in budget proposals for the next two fiscal years.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2025
Verb
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The seventh overall draft pick in 2022, the Cubs’ top pitching prospect impressed.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
11 May 2025
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Final Verdict: Comfort That Fits the Way People Live Starting at $688, the Della Mini Split doesn’t aim to impress with extravagance, but by restoring ease to indoor environments.—
Jon Stojan,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
Noun
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Seven of 10 inmates who escaped from a New Orleans jail through a hole in a wall behind a toilet remained on the run May 17, as authorities in Louisiana continued a massive manhunt and wondered if the men had had inside help.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
18 May 2025
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In September of last year, Japanese authorities began searching in a different area after Wu-Murad’s backpack and a single shoe were discovered near a stream in Totsukawa village.—
Muri Assunção,
New York Daily News,
17 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Influence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/influence. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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