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

Much of the anger has focused on so-called "nepo kids" - young people perceived as benefitting from the fame and influence of their well-connected parents, many of whom are establishment figures.

From BBC

For years Moscow's influence has lingered in Moldovan politics.

From BBC

Tarango hopes it will jump-start a wider conversation on how Indigenous people can come together to influence U.S. agriculture and more healthy diets.

From Los Angeles Times

Discovery would gain control of more than a quarter of the US$223 billion U.S. media market, along with influence over film, television, streaming and the cloud infrastructure upon which digital media increasingly depends.

From Salon

Political influence has long played a role with federal prosecutors who are political appointees, Hasnas said, but under “the current situation it’s magnified greatly.”

From Los Angeles Times

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.