influence

[in-floo-uhns]

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.

verb (used with object)

influenced, influencing 

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

influence

/ 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

verb

1. to persuade or induce

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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of influence¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Medieval Latin influentia “stellar emanation,” equivalent to Latin influent- ( influent ) + -ia -y ³; -ence

Word History and Origins

Origin of influence¹

C14: from Medieval Latin influentia emanation of power from the stars, from Latin influere to flow into, from fluere to flow

Idioms and Phrases

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.

see under the influence.

Example Sentences

They contribute to disperse energy and matter throughout the universe and can influence the evolution of entire galaxies.

From Science Daily

He was later revealed as one of several conservative influencers allegedly co-opted by Tenet Media, which federal authorities say had ties to Russian state media efforts to influence U.S. audiences.

From Salon

This erasure of parental influence continued throughout the oral arguments.

From Salon

“They interrogated him while he was in pain and under the influence of medication. They did not permit him to see his family and removed his access to phone calls.”

From Los Angeles Times

The party is leaking members, elected officials, and influence to Reform.

From BBC

Related Words

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

When To Use

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.