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

He’s unaware of who else is on the panel and how much influence the panels will have on the process.

From Voice of San Diego

Under Huang, Nvidia has risen rapidly up the ranks of technology companies in market value and influence.

From Fortune

The extensive observations allowed them to reconstruct the three-dimensional structure of the disk torn apart by the influences of the three stars.

From Popular-Science

Given how much influence steering winds have over hurricane speed and trajectory, climate change may influence stalling by reshaping large-scale wind patterns.

From Popular-Science

Taken together, the government has substantial influence on medical innovation.

From Popular-Science

Police have unions, for one, and those unions influence the elections of their civilian leadership.

From The Daily Beast

What sets him apart from so many of his contemporaries was his rare immunity from the influence of prevailing ideas.

From The Daily Beast

"He brought Ray Charles to the mix as an influence on rock & roll," E Street Band guitarist Steven Van Zandt once raved.

From The Daily Beast

These women interred the bodies of saints on their own properties and occasionally managed to influence papal politics.

From The Daily Beast

Archrival India has money to throw around, and Iran and Russia are also exerting influence in the region.

From The Daily Beast

After her marriage to Eugène Manet she came under the influence of his famous brother, Édouard.

From Project Gutenberg

So intelligent were her methods that she doubtless had great influence in making the memory of his art enduring.

From Project Gutenberg

It is probable that Mlle. Mayer came under the influence of Prud'hon as early as 1802, possibly before that time.

From Project Gutenberg

The voice is the most potent influence of expression, the winged messenger between soul and soul.

From Project Gutenberg

Under the soothing influence of beauty, however, the vicar forgot his woes.

From Project Gutenberg

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.