influence

American  

[in-floo-uhns] / ˈɪn flu əns /

noun

1. 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.

2. the action or process of producing effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of another or others.

   Her mother's influence made her stay.

   Synonyms:

   guidance, pressure, sway, effect

3. a person or thing that exerts influence.

   He is an influence for the good.

4. Astrology.

   1. the radiation of an ethereal fluid from the stars, regarded as affecting human actions and destinies.

   2. the exercise of occult power by the stars, or such power as exercised.

5. the exercise of similar power by human beings.

6. Obsolete. influx.

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verb (used with object)

influences, present (3rd person singular) influenced, past participle, past influencing present participle

1. to exercise influence on; affect; sway.

   to influence a person.

   Synonyms:

   move, impress, control, direct, bias

2. to move or impel (a person) to some action.

   Outside factors influenced her to resign.

   Synonyms:

   persuade, induce, instigate, arouse, rouse, incite

idioms

1. under the influence, less than drunk but with one's nervous system impaired: Also under the influence of intoxicating liquor

   He was driving while under the influence.

influence British  

/ ˈɪnflʊəns /

noun

1. an effect of one person or thing on another

2. the power of a person or thing to have such an effect

3. power or sway resulting from ability, wealth, position, etc

4. a person or thing having influence

5. astrology an ethereal fluid or occult power regarded as emanating from the stars and affecting a person's actions, future, etc

6. informal drunk

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verb

1. to persuade or induce

2. to have an effect upon (actions, events, etc); affect

influence More Idioms  

1. see under the influence.

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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

• uninfluenced
  adjective
• counterinfluence
  noun
• influencer
  noun
• uninfluencing
  adjective
• superinfluence
  noun
• preinfluence
  noun
• interinfluence
  verb
• influenceable
  adjective
• overinfluence
  verb (used with object)
• outinfluence
  verb (used with object)
• noninfluence
  noun
• reinfluence
  verb (used with object)

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have influenced
  perfect
• has influenced
  perfect 3rd person singular
• are influencing
  progressive
• has been influencing
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• is influencing
  progressive 3rd person singular
• influencing
  participle
• influences
  singular 3rd person
• have been influencing
  perfect progressive
• am influencing
  progressive 1st person singular

Past

• had influenced
  perfect
• had been influencing
  perfect progressive
• influenced
  participle
• influenced
  simple
• was influencing
  progressive singular
• were influencing
  progressive plural

Future

• will influence
  simple
• will have influenced
  perfect
• will have been influencing
  perfect progressive
• will be influencing
  progressive

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.

Example Sentences

This lack of a roughly circular orbit around the Sun suggested either an impact early in its lifetime that put it on this path, or gravitational influence from planet nine.

From Science Daily • Jun. 9, 2026

Did speaking to Anne Hathaway influence your final draft?

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

Some analysts say the summit could be Xi's way of countering Russia's growing influence over North Korea, but DePaul's Ku noted that "overall, Moscow is not a major power like China".

From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026

The credibility of Iran's influence has always rested partly on the belief that it will stand behind its partners.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

She must have been so powerful that she didn’t need to do anything to influence the waters.

From "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young

Related Words

• clout
• consequence
• control
• domination
• effect
• force
• impact
• importance
• leadership
• leverage
• money
• pressure
• prestige
• repercussion
• reputation
• significance
• weight