influence

1 of 2

noun

in·flu·ence ˈin-ˌflü-ən(t)s How to pronounce influence (audio)

especially Southern

in-ˈflü-

plural influences

: the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways : sway

: the act or power of producing an effect without apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of command

: corrupt interference with authority for personal gain

: one that exerts influence

: an emanation of spiritual or moral force

: an ethereal fluid held to flow from the stars and to affect the actions of humans

: an emanation of occult power held to derive from stars

influence

2 of 2

verb

influenced; influencing

transitive verb

: to affect or alter by indirect or intangible means

She attempted to influence his decision.

greatly influenced by my parents

: to have an effect on the condition or development of

Productivity was influenced by worker satisfaction.

influenceable

ˈin-ˌflü-ən(t)-sə-bəl How to pronounce influence (audio)

adjective

In the situation where performance measures are not seen as influenceable, there is little chance of the person seeing a connection between his effort and his rewards.

Lyman W. Porter et al.

Did you know?

The Surprising History of Influence and Its Modern Use

Influence may seem like a ho-hum word, but its history is heavenly.

The word first referred to a celestial fluid that was believed to flow from the stars. As this fluid reached the Earth, it supposedly affected the actions of the planet's inhabitants—especially the human ones. (The word influenza has the same origin: the Medieval Latin word influentia. It was for a time believed that epidemics were caused by unusual conjunctions of the planets.)

In modern use, the noun typically refers to the power to change or affect someone or something—especially the power to cause changes without directly forcing those changes to happen. Influence can also refer to a person or thing that affects someone or something in an important way.

The noun had been in use for more than 200 years before the verb use developed. As a verb, influence typically means "to affect or change someone or something in an indirect but usually important way." Something or someone that influences a person or thing, then, has an influence on that person or thing.

Example Sentences

Noun Recent years have seen a decline in the company's influence within the industry. Her ideas have gradually gained influence in the company. He used his influence to reform the company's policies. She has remained under the influence of her parents. She claims that her personal problems played no influence upon her decision to resign. His health problems may have had some influence on his decision. Her parents still have a great deal of influence over her. The chairman wields considerable influence over the board's decisions. Her parents are concerned that her new friends may have a bad influence on her. Emily Dickinson has had a major influence on his poetry. Verb I was deeply influenced by my parents. She claims that her decision to resign was not influenced by her personal problems. No one knows how this decision will influence the outcome of the election. He's accused of illegally attempting to influence the jury. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The woman driving the vehicle was detained under suspicion of driving under the influence, according to Graves.

Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 18 Sep. 2022 The officer arrested him on a charge of operating under the influence.

Cheryl Higley, cleveland, 17 Sep. 2022 Driving under the influence is also a permanent stain.

oregonlive, 16 Sep. 2022 Now a 19-year-old man who was allegedly driving the cart under the influence has been charged with involuntary manslaughter.

Corin Cesaric, Peoplemag, 15 Sep. 2022 Artin Khatchik, 47, of the 9000 block of Birch Avenue, Morton Grove, was charged September 2 with driving under the influence, no driver’s license on person and improper stop.

Chicago Tribune, 13 Sep. 2022 An Alabama prison warden is retiring after being arrested for driving under the influence.

Fox News, 9 Sep. 2022 Cheyenne McMullen, the driver of the car and the boy’s mother, is being held on $25,000 bail for charges of felony first-degree assault and misdemeanor driving under the influence, according to the charges.

Tess Williams, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Sep. 2022 Ryan was also charged with driving under the influence at Fort Bragg in July, according to court documents.

CBS News, 9 Sep. 2022

Verb

More than 30 people associated with former President Donald Trump and alleged efforts to influence the 2020 election results have received federal grand jury subpoenas, four sources told CBS News.

CBS News, 12 Sep. 2022 It’s China’s most direct foray into the South Pacific to date, a region Beijing previously sought to influence primarily via trade and investment.

The Editorial Board, WSJ, 30 Aug. 2022 Warren soon tired of his colleague’s efforts to influence and cajole.

John Fabian Witt, The New Republic, 26 Aug. 2022 There is something slightly odd but perfectly logical about former President Donald Trump’s trip to Waukesha on Friday in his effort to influence the outcome of Wisconsin’s GOP primary for governor.

Craig Gilbert, Journal Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2022 These social platforms remain meaningful and campaigns will still use them to influence and persuade voters even if there’s been sort of a souring in some quarters of the political set on their use.

Brad Adgate, Forbes, 25 July 2022 Host Laura Krantz argues that pop culture continues to influence — mostly negatively — the public’s perception of nuclear power at a time when the world, reeling from the effects of climate change, is desperate for clean energy.

Mark Shanahan, BostonGlobe.com, 22 June 2022 The race was among a handful of contests held Tuesday at the midpoint of a primary season that has been shaped by Trump’s effort to influence the GOP.

Jill Colvin And Kim Chandler, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2022 The race was among a handful of contests held Tuesday at the midpoint of a primary season that has been shaped by Trump’s effort to influence the GOP.

Jill Colvin And Kim Chandler, Anchorage Daily News, 22 June 2022 See More

Kids Definition

influence 1 of 2

noun

in·flu·ence ˈin-ˌflü-əns How to pronounce influence (audio)

: the act or power of causing an effect or change without use of direct force or authority

You could move to some other part of Mexico, but … Luis's influence is far-reaching.

Pam Muñoz Ryan, Esperanza Rising

: a person or thing that has an indirect but usually important effect

She's a bad influence on him.

influence

2 of 2

verb

influenced; influencing

: to affect or change in an indirect but usually important way I was influenced by my parents.

Legal Definition

influence 1 of 2

noun

in·flu·ence

: the act or power of producing an effect without any apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of command

: corrupt interference with authority for personal gain

: the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways

: one that exerts influence

influence

2 of 2

transitive verb

influenced; influencing

: to alter or affect by indirect or intangible means

the exemption would allow a conglomerate that owns both a media business and an unrelated business to influence or control the media

Citizens United v. Federal Election Comm'n, 130 S. Ct. 876 (2010)

: to have an effect on the condition or development of

influence 1 of 2

noun

as in sway

the power to direct the thinking or behavior of others usually indirectly a mayor who doesn't hesitate to use her influence to get business leaders behind civic improvements

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

sway
leverage
authority
clout
importance
credit
in
weight
pull
heft
impact
juice
dominance
impression
dominion
predominance
counterinfluence
impress
mastery
sovereignty
supremacy
reign
eminence
consequence
imprint
moment
scepter
command
sovranty
mark

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

weakness
powerlessness
helplessness
impotence
impotency

as in effect

the power to bring about a result on another the basic premise of astrology is that the position of the stars has an influence on human affairs

Synonyms & Similar Words

effect
impact
sway
consequence
repercussion
importance
clout
prestige
domination
authority
significance
dominion
mark
pull
mastery
weight
command
supremacy
sovereignty
sovranty

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

weakness
powerlessness
helplessness
impotence
impotency

influence

2 of 2

verb

as in to affect

to act upon (a person or a person's feelings) so as to cause a response the news reports of the devastating flood influenced a great many people to make contributions for food and supplies

Synonyms & Similar Words

affect
impact
impress
touch
sway
interest
strike
reach
inspire
involve
move
get to
bias
concern
bother
attract
disturb
entrance
penetrate
fascinate
tell (on)
carry away
transport
trouble
dazzle
color
plague
worry
stress
engage
stir
upset
perturb
discomfort
distress
try
enrapture
disquiet
ravish
harass
afflict
enthral
allure
enchant
harry
charm
pierce
captivate
enthrall
pester
strain
smite
agitate
bewitch
fluster
discompose
wring

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bore
tire
pall
weary
jade
underwhelm

Synonym Chooser

Some common synonyms of influence are authority, credit, prestige, and weight. While all these words mean "power exerted over the minds or behavior of others," influence may apply to a force exercised and received consciously or unconsciously.

used her influence to get the bill passed

While in some cases nearly identical to influence, authority implies the power of winning devotion or allegiance or of compelling acceptance and belief.

his opinions lacked authority

The words credit and influence can be used in similar contexts, but credit suggests influence that arises from the confidence of others.

his credit with the press

The synonyms prestige and influence are sometimes interchangeable, but prestige implies the ascendancy given by conspicuous excellence or reputation for superiority.

the prestige of the newspaper

In some situations, the words weight and influence are roughly equivalent. However, weight implies measurable or decisive influence in determining acts or choices.

their wishes obviously carried much weight

单词	influence
释义	influence 1 of 2 noun in·flu·ence ˈin-ˌflü-ən(t)s especially Southern in-ˈflü- plural influences 1 : the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways : sway 2 a : the act or power of producing an effect without apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of command b : corrupt interference with authority for personal gain 3 : one that exerts influence 4 : an emanation of spiritual or moral force 5 a : an ethereal fluid held to flow from the stars and to affect the actions of humans b : an emanation of occult power held to derive from stars influence 2 of 2 verb influenced; influencing transitive verb 1 : to affect or alter by indirect or intangible means She attempted to influence his decision. greatly influenced by my parents 2 : to have an effect on the condition or development of Productivity was influenced by worker satisfaction. influenceable ˈin-ˌflü-ən(t)-sə-bəl adjective In the situation where performance measures are not seen as influenceable, there is little chance of the person seeing a connection between his effort and his rewards. Lyman W. Porter et al. Phrases under the influence : affected by alcohol or drug intoxication was arrested for driving under the influence Did you know? The Surprising History of Influence and Its Modern Use Influence may seem like a ho-hum word, but its history is heavenly. The word first referred to a celestial fluid that was believed to flow from the stars. As this fluid reached the Earth, it supposedly affected the actions of the planet's inhabitants—especially the human ones. (The word influenza has the same origin: the Medieval Latin word influentia. It was for a time believed that epidemics were caused by unusual conjunctions of the planets.) In modern use, the noun typically refers to the power to change or affect someone or something—especially the power to cause changes without directly forcing those changes to happen. Influence can also refer to a person or thing that affects someone or something in an important way. The noun had been in use for more than 200 years before the verb use developed. As a verb, influence typically means "to affect or change someone or something in an indirect but usually important way." Something or someone that influences a person or thing, then, has an influence on that person or thing. Synonyms Noun authority clout credit heft in juice [slang] leverage pull sway weight Verb affect impact impress move reach strike sway tell (on) touch See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Noun Recent years have seen a decline in the company's influence within the industry. Her ideas have gradually gained influence in the company. He used his influence to reform the company's policies. She has remained under the influence of her parents. She claims that her personal problems played no influence upon her decision to resign. His health problems may have had some influence on his decision. Her parents still have a great deal of influence over her. The chairman wields considerable influence over the board's decisions. Her parents are concerned that her new friends may have a bad influence on her. Emily Dickinson has had a major influence on his poetry. Verb I was deeply influenced by my parents. She claims that her decision to resign was not influenced by her personal problems. No one knows how this decision will influence the outcome of the election. He's accused of illegally attempting to influence the jury. See More Recent Examples on the Web Noun The woman driving the vehicle was detained under suspicion of driving under the influence, according to Graves. Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 18 Sep. 2022 The officer arrested him on a charge of operating under the influence. Cheryl Higley, cleveland, 17 Sep. 2022 Driving under the influence is also a permanent stain. oregonlive, 16 Sep. 2022 Now a 19-year-old man who was allegedly driving the cart under the influence has been charged with involuntary manslaughter. Corin Cesaric, Peoplemag, 15 Sep. 2022 Artin Khatchik, 47, of the 9000 block of Birch Avenue, Morton Grove, was charged September 2 with driving under the influence, no driver’s license on person and improper stop. Chicago Tribune, 13 Sep. 2022 An Alabama prison warden is retiring after being arrested for driving under the influence. Fox News, 9 Sep. 2022 Cheyenne McMullen, the driver of the car and the boy’s mother, is being held on $25,000 bail for charges of felony first-degree assault and misdemeanor driving under the influence, according to the charges. Tess Williams, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Sep. 2022 Ryan was also charged with driving under the influence at Fort Bragg in July, according to court documents. CBS News, 9 Sep. 2022 Verb More than 30 people associated with former President Donald Trump and alleged efforts to influence the 2020 election results have received federal grand jury subpoenas, four sources told CBS News. CBS News, 12 Sep. 2022 It’s China’s most direct foray into the South Pacific to date, a region Beijing previously sought to influence primarily via trade and investment. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 30 Aug. 2022 Warren soon tired of his colleague’s efforts to influence and cajole. John Fabian Witt, The New Republic, 26 Aug. 2022 There is something slightly odd but perfectly logical about former President Donald Trump’s trip to Waukesha on Friday in his effort to influence the outcome of Wisconsin’s GOP primary for governor. Craig Gilbert, Journal Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2022 These social platforms remain meaningful and campaigns will still use them to influence and persuade voters even if there’s been sort of a souring in some quarters of the political set on their use. Brad Adgate, Forbes, 25 July 2022 Host Laura Krantz argues that pop culture continues to influence — mostly negatively — the public’s perception of nuclear power at a time when the world, reeling from the effects of climate change, is desperate for clean energy. Mark Shanahan, BostonGlobe.com, 22 June 2022 The race was among a handful of contests held Tuesday at the midpoint of a primary season that has been shaped by Trump’s effort to influence the GOP. Jill Colvin And Kim Chandler, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2022 The race was among a handful of contests held Tuesday at the midpoint of a primary season that has been shaped by Trump’s effort to influence the GOP. Jill Colvin And Kim Chandler, Anchorage Daily News, 22 June 2022 See More Word History Etymology Noun Middle English, from Old French, from Medieval Latin influentia, from Latin influent-, influens, present participle of influere to flow in, from in- + fluere to flow — more at fluid First Known Use Noun 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5a Verb 1658, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Phrases Containing influence put/throw one's weight/influence behind drive under the influence sphere of influence under the influence of counter-influence under the influence put/throw one's weight/influence behind drive under the influence sphere of influence under the influence of counter-influence under the influence Kids Definition influence 1 of 2 noun in·flu·ence ˈin-ˌflü-əns 1 : the act or power of causing an effect or change without use of direct force or authority You could move to some other part of Mexico, but … Luis's influence is far-reaching. Pam Muñoz Ryan, Esperanza Rising 2 : a person or thing that has an indirect but usually important effect She's a bad influence on him. influence 2 of 2 verb influenced; influencing : to affect or change in an indirect but usually important way I was influenced by my parents. Legal Definition influence 1 of 2 noun in·flu·ence 1 a : the act or power of producing an effect without any apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of command b : corrupt interference with authority for personal gain 2 : the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways 3 : one that exerts influence influence 2 of 2 transitive verb influenced; influencing 1 : to alter or affect by indirect or intangible means the exemption would allow a conglomerate that owns both a media business and an unrelated business to influence or control the media Citizens United v. Federal Election Comm'n, 130 S. Ct. 876 (2010) 2 : to have an effect on the condition or development of influence 1 of 2 noun 1 as in sway the power to direct the thinking or behavior of others usually indirectly a mayor who doesn't hesitate to use her influence to get business leaders behind civic improvements Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance sway leverage authority clout importance credit in weight pull heft impact juice dominance impression dominion predominance counterinfluence impress mastery sovereignty supremacy reign eminence consequence imprint moment scepter command sovranty mark Antonyms & Near Antonyms weakness powerlessness helplessness impotence impotency 2 as in effect the power to bring about a result on another the basic premise of astrology is that the position of the stars has an influence on human affairs Synonyms & Similar Words effect impact sway consequence repercussion importance clout prestige domination authority significance dominion mark pull mastery weight command supremacy sovereignty sovranty Antonyms & Near Antonyms weakness powerlessness helplessness impotence impotency influence 2 of 2 verb as in to affect to act upon (a person or a person's feelings) so as to cause a response the news reports of the devastating flood influenced a great many people to make contributions for food and supplies Synonyms & Similar Words affect impact impress touch sway interest strike reach inspire involve move get to bias concern bother attract disturb entrance penetrate fascinate tell (on) carry away transport trouble dazzle color plague worry stress engage stir upset perturb discomfort distress try enrapture disquiet ravish harass afflict enthral allure enchant harry charm pierce captivate enthrall pester strain smite agitate bewitch fluster discompose wring Antonyms & Near Antonyms bore tire pall weary jade underwhelm Synonym Chooser Some common synonyms of influence are authority, credit, prestige, and weight. While all these words mean "power exerted over the minds or behavior of others," influence may apply to a force exercised and received consciously or unconsciously. used her influence to get the bill passed While in some cases nearly identical to influence, authority implies the power of winning devotion or allegiance or of compelling acceptance and belief. his opinions lacked authority The words credit and influence can be used in similar contexts, but credit suggests influence that arises from the confidence of others. his credit with the press The synonyms prestige and influence are sometimes interchangeable, but prestige implies the ascendancy given by conspicuous excellence or reputation for superiority. the prestige of the newspaper In some situations, the words weight and influence are roughly equivalent. However, weight implies measurable or decisive influence in determining acts or choices. their wishes obviously carried much weight Phrases Containing influence under the influence under the influence
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influence

noun

verb

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing influence

Kids Definition

noun

verb

Legal Definition

noun

transitive verb

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Phrases Containing influence