sphere of influence
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of sphere of influence
First recorded in 1880–85
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.
Moscow has reacted sharply to the prospect of losing another ally in what it sees as its sphere of influence.
From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026
Across Iran’s sphere of influence Christian communities have experienced demographic collapse.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026
The Monroe Doctrine dates back to the U.S. president in 1823 who articulated his opposition to further European colonization of Latin America which he asserted would henceforth be a U.S. sphere of influence.
From MarketWatch • Oct. 30, 2025
Its challenge appears to be to stay united, finally make good on funding its own defence, and avoid being drawn into the "sphere of influence" of any of the big powers.
From BBC • Mar. 25, 2025
She seized the opportunity to show off her wealth and gain a wider sphere of influence in the eastern provinces.
From "Sterling Biographies®: Cleopatra: Egypt's Last and Greatest Queen" by Susan Blackaby
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.
