influence

American  

[in-floo-uhns] / ˈɪn flu əns /

noun

influences plural

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

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• influences
  plural

Participles

• influencing
  present
• influenced
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• influence
  simple
• influences
  simple
• have influenced
  perfect
• has influenced
  perfect
• am influencing
  progressive
• are influencing
  progressive
• is influencing
  progressive
• have been influencing
  perfect progressive
• has been influencing
  perfect progressive

Past

• influenced
  simple
• had influenced
  perfect
• was influencing
  progressive
• were influencing
  progressive
• had been influencing
  perfect progressive

Future

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

Even more, to make serious decisions about our future, we need to state the moral definitions of what it means to be human and the limits on AI’s influence on the social order.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 9, 2026

A few weeks later, after having a private meeting with Blanche, Tillis told CNN that if he catches “even a whiff” that the DOJ would not be independent under Blanche, that will influence his vote.

From Slate • Jul. 9, 2026

Emissions from the controversial Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea will "not materially influence" global warming, according to a new report from its owner.

From BBC • Jul. 8, 2026

Miyazaki’s influence on the show is tangible in those moments, especially to anyone who grew up with his stories and associate them with safety and comfort.

From Salon • Jul. 8, 2026

“Nobody’s allowed to be a bad influence on the rich kid.”

From "The School for Whatnots" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Related Words

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