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)

, in·flu·enced, in·flu·enc·ing.

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, arouse, rouse, incite, instigate

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. under the influence informal.
   drunk

verb

1. to persuade or induce
2. to have an effect upon (actions, events, etc); affect

Derived Forms

• ˈinfluenceable, adjective
• ˈinfluencer, noun

Other Words From

• in·flu·ence·a·ble adjective
• in·flu·enc·er noun
• coun·ter·in·flu·ence noun verb (used with object) counterinfluenced counterinfluencing
• in·ter·in·flu·ence verb interinfluenced interinfluencing
• non·in·flu·ence noun
• out·in·flu·ence verb (used with object) outinfluenced outinfluencing
• o·ver·in·flu·ence verb (used with object) overinfluenced overinfluencing
• pre·in·flu·ence noun
• re·in·flu·ence verb (used with object) reinfluenced reinfluencing
• su·per·in·flu·ence noun verb (used with object) superinfluenced superinfluencing
• un·in·flu·enced adjective
• un·in·flu·enc·ing 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, Law. less than drunk but with one's nervous system impaired: Also under the influence of intoxicating liquor.

   He was driving while under the influence.

More idioms and phrases containing influence

see under the influence .

Example Sentences

Other influences, like the tastemaking Bay Area band Whirr, drew from similar wells a generation ago — Lu’s droll Instagram handle is still “whirrwhoreforlyfe.”

From Los Angeles Times

Also, the partial democratization of the information economy means that the old gatekeepers in corporate media no longer have anywhere near as much influence as they used to have.

From Salon

Trump’s influence was put to the test earlier this week when Republicans in the Senate picked their new leader.

From BBC

The Justice Department has been largely separated from White House influence since Watergate.

From Los Angeles Times

Churches don’t have to disclose their donors to the IRS, so donors could seek to influence elections while remaining anonymous — and get a tax deduction for their contributions.

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.