influence
Americannoun
-
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.
-
the action or process of producing effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of another or others.
Her mother's influence made her stay.
-
a person or thing that exerts influence.
He is an influence for the good.
-
Astrology.
-
the radiation of an ethereal fluid from the stars, regarded as affecting human actions and destinies.
-
the exercise of occult power by the stars, or such power as exercised.
-
-
the exercise of similar power by human beings.
-
Obsolete. influx.
verb (used with object)
idioms
noun
-
an effect of one person or thing on another
-
the power of a person or thing to have such an effect
-
power or sway resulting from ability, wealth, position, etc
-
a person or thing having influence
-
astrology an ethereal fluid or occult power regarded as emanating from the stars and affecting a person's actions, future, etc
-
informal drunk
verb
-
to persuade or induce
-
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
-
counterinfluencenoun
-
influencernoun
-
noninfluencenoun
-
preinfluencenoun
-
superinfluencenoun
-
interinfluenceverb
-
outinfluenceverb (used with object)
-
overinfluenceverb (used with object)
-
reinfluenceverb (used with object)
-
influenceableadjective
-
uninfluencedadjective
-
uninfluencingadjective
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
influencesimple
-
influencessimple
-
have influencedperfect
-
has influencedperfect
-
am influencingprogressive
-
are influencingprogressive
-
is influencingprogressive
-
have been influencingperfect progressive
-
has been influencingperfect progressive
Past
-
influencedsimple
-
had influencedperfect
-
was influencingprogressive
-
were influencingprogressive
-
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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Watsons Go to Birmingham
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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:
While the UAW’s active membership today is less than a third of its 1970s peak, it still wields influence across the car industry.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026
With the ever-growing influence of T20s, and an increasing gap in financial opportunities to fund the game professionally, where do women's Tests fit in?
From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026
In establishing these commissions, Congress wanted the commissioners to use their expertise and collective decisionmaking to shape important areas of policy without partisan influence.
From Slate ● Jul. 13, 2026
It’s possible the World Cup could boost services costs in June given the demand for hotels, flights, meals and tickets from people going to the matches, but any influence should prove short-lived.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 13, 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 partly about artificial pitches, but it's also about influences," added Grottland.
From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026
Mr. Argue applies the same brilliant synthesis of influences and mastery of several musical idioms that has distinguished his own magnificent 18-piece Secret Society ensemble, but here carrying a less urgent, more subdued feel.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 11, 2026
According to the researchers, the study highlights how strongly diet influences the entire gut ecosystem, from parasites and microbes to the immune system itself.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 10, 2026
A solid debut, “England’s Newest Hitmakers” features covers of songs by Willie Dixon, Chuck Berry and Jimmy Reed, firmly grounding the group in its American blues and R&B influences.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026
However, it is likely that we will never understand how spatial teleportation influences the timeline until and unless STSs engage in active teleportation.
From "The First State of Being" by Erin Entrada Kelly
Raines thinks the rare double bloom influenced the spike in reservations.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026
Graham may well have influenced Trump now and then, not always for the better.
From Slate ● Jul. 13, 2026
It found that prediction markets are unduly influenced by their biggest traders, and these so-called “whales” do worse, on average, than those who place smaller bets.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 13, 2026
Rather than simply passing information forward, S1 appeared to be influenced by higher brain regions through feedback loops.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 13, 2026
When it was her turn to give an account of recent months, it was impossible not to be influenced by Leon’s tone, though her version of it came through, helplessly, as mockery.
From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan
Alessi added that a brewing "super" El Nino in the equatorial Pacific could also be influencing the heat dome.
From Barron's ● Jul. 10, 2026
Beyond influencing how people respond to snake encounters, the researchers say the myth has also affected how rattlesnakes are treated.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 10, 2026
Around a decade ago, the Gupta brothers were accused of profiting from their close links to then-President Zuma and influencing South African policy.
From BBC ● Jul. 3, 2026
More than 40% said flexible work arrangements would be a top factor influencing their decision to take on a leadership role.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 29, 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.
