influence
Americannoun
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influences
plural
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the capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on or produce effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of others.
He used family influence to get the contract.
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the action or process of producing effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of another or others.
Her mother's influence made her stay.
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a person or thing that exerts influence.
He is an influence for the good.
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Astrology.
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the radiation of an ethereal fluid from the stars, regarded as affecting human actions and destinies.
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the exercise of occult power by the stars, or such power as exercised.
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the exercise of similar power by human beings.
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Obsolete. influx.
verb (used with object)
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influences,
present (3rd person singular)
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influenced,
past participle, past
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influencing
present participle
idioms
noun
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an effect of one person or thing on another
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the power of a person or thing to have such an effect
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power or sway resulting from ability, wealth, position, etc
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a person or thing having influence
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astrology an ethereal fluid or occult power regarded as emanating from the stars and affecting a person's actions, future, etc
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informal drunk
verb
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to persuade or induce
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to have an effect upon (actions, events, etc); affect
Usage
What are other ways to say influence? Influence is the action or process of producing effects on the actions, behavior, opinions of another or others. How does influence compare to control and authority? Find out on Thesaurus.com.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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counterinfluencenoun
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influencernoun
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noninfluencenoun
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preinfluencenoun
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superinfluencenoun
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interinfluenceverb
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outinfluenceverb (used with object)
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overinfluenceverb (used with object)
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reinfluenceverb (used with object)
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influenceableadjective
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uninfluencedadjective
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uninfluencingadjective
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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influencesimple
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influencessimple
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have influencedperfect
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has influencedperfect
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am influencingprogressive
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are influencingprogressive
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is influencingprogressive
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have been influencingperfect progressive
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has been influencingperfect progressive
Past
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influencedsimple
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had influencedperfect
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was influencingprogressive
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were influencingprogressive
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had been influencingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of influence
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Medieval Latin influentia “stellar emanation,” equivalent to Latin influent- ( see influent) + -ia -y 3; see -ence
Explanation
Influence is the power to have an important effect on someone or something. If someone influences someone else, they are changing a person or thing in an indirect but important way. Sometimes a person who influences another doesn't intend to have any effect, but sometimes they are using influence to benefit themselves. An example of a personal benefit or advantage would be the use of political influence. Influence is also a verb, from Latin influere to flow in.
Vocabulary lists containing influence
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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The Watsons Go to Birmingham
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TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
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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:
When you’re dreaming up a runway collection, do you have a specific cast of people in mind who influence the designs — real people, imagined characters or figures from your own life and imagination?
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026
But Mull’s highly accomplished work on canvas, held by some very esteemed institutions, shows the influence of people like Robert Rauschenberg and Anselm Kiefer and combines surrealism with subtle social commentary.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
To investigate how cannabinoids influence fear and anxiety, researchers exposed mice to a threatening smell derived from fox urine.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 7, 2026
One way to have greater influence over AI safety, the official said, was to build its own technology.
From Barron's ● Oct. 6, 2026
As for the Incorrigibles’ desire to join in the knitting: at first Lady Constance protested, for she still held strong opinions about what a bad influence the wolf children would be on her own child.
From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood
"It's not something we don't discuss. Of course we have to discuss it, but it's not like that influences the discussions in the room and decisions that come out," he insisted.
From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026
The rate on the 10-year Treasury is closely watched, as it influences the cost of trillions of dollars in borrowing for consumers, companies and the U.S. government.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 30, 2026
Additional experiments using isotopic labeling and neutron scattering showed how the structure of the starting polymer influences the resulting fuel.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 21, 2026
The one-year LPR influences most corporate and household loans, while the five-year rate is a benchmark for mortgages.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026
Zimbardo isn’t talking about environment, about the major external influences on all of our lives.
From "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell
Researchers have long questioned whether violent behavior is rooted mainly in deep evolutionary history or is more strongly influenced by social and cultural forces.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 7, 2026
The broadcaster said he had spent time in Syria, raising concerns he may have been influenced by radical groups there.
From Barron's ● Oct. 3, 2026
The bond market is typically heavily influenced by slow-moving macroeconomic trends, LeBas pointed out.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 30, 2026
Whether this was the correct course of action, and whether the decision was influenced by wanting to prevent the grand prix finishing under caution, will remain a subject for debate.
From BBC ● Sep. 29, 2026
He didn’t want me to be influenced by anything he might say about the proposal.
From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove
The choice of cathode material, or how the electrolyte – which separates cathode and anode – is formulated are key details influencing the performance and longevity of sodium ion batteries.
From BBC ● Sep. 29, 2026
These plant derived substances can act as antioxidants and can also interact with gut microbes, potentially influencing metabolism and other biological processes.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 28, 2026
Isabel Wang explained how the global oil market has become the most important factor influencing the stock and bond markets.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 18, 2026
It isn’t unusual for presidents and Fed chairs to meet on occasion, but in recent decades the contacts have been more formal and choreographed to avoid the perception the president is influencing rate decisions.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026
“And yet you’ve always said it is beneath the dignity of a Titan to fight a mere mortal. I wonder if your mortal host is influencing you, weakening your judgment.”
From "The Last Olympian" by Rick Riordan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
