INFLUENCE Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'influence' distinct from other similar nouns?

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

Q: When can 'authority' be used instead of 'influence'?

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

Q: When might 'credit' be a better fit than 'influence'?

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

Q: Where would 'prestige' be a reasonable alternative to 'influence'?

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

Q: When could 'weight' be used to replace 'influence'?

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

influence 1 of 2

noun

ˈin-ˌflü-ən(t)s

Definition of influence

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word influence distinct from other similar nouns?

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

When can authority be used instead of influence?

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

When might credit be a better fit than influence?

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

Where would prestige be a reasonable alternative to influence?

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

When could weight be used to replace influence?

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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of influence

Noun

In that situation, employees were the decision-makers, but the incident shows how bad actors can use false context to influence actions. — Shekhar Iyer, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026 That included the Bab al-Mandeb maritime chokepoint on the Red Sea, potentially expanding Tehran’s influence over another trade corridor. — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026

Verb

By then, a lot of the decisions those campaigns are trying to influence have already been made. — Tony Gonzalez, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026 Eating disorders and disordered eating bring in this additional layer of societal and structural differences in gender and the gendered norms that can also influence health. — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for influence

Recent Examples of Synonyms for influence

Noun

Influencer and cultural collaborations also held more sway with the younger group.

— Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026
But these were mere hints and premonitions of the kind of sway that humans now hold.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of sway

Noun

Some opening day effects are long gone, such as the illusion created by actual shifting doors at the start of the attraction, or visions of tumbling rubble near its beginning.

— Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
The progression from vessel impact to environmental damage is clear to see in many cases, said Brian Barnes, who is part of a group of satellite oceanographers at the University of South Florida analyzing the effects of this war from afar.

— Paula Hancocks, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of effect

Verb

Smiling can affect brain chemicals that are associated with positive feelings including endorphins, dopamine and serotonin.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
El Niño is a climate pattern characterized by warmer waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean that spur changes in the atmosphere that can affect weather around the world.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of affect

Noun

This has the potential to move hiring from a checklist exercise to a high-yield strategic maneuver, ensuring that critical hires are chosen for technical and commercial leverage.

— Syed Ahmad, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
But Palestinian parliamentary leverage reached a high point in 1992–1995, when Yitzhak Rabin’s government relied on support from two Arab-majority parties.

— Tamir Sorek, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of leverage

Noun

Shelie Miller, a University of Michigan professor who studies the environmental impacts of products, said Halloween costumes, like fast fashion, are often made cheaply from plastic materials.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
The cyclists cross the state, generating an economic impact estimated at $25 million.

— Washington Post, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of impact

Verb

James was impressed by the rising generation of perfumers’ work ethic, remarkable ideas and ability to storytell.

— Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026
Rocky was played by James Ortiz, an actor with extensive puppeteering experience who impressed Gosling at his initial audition.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of impress

Noun

The next president may well also have more power to purchase equity stakes; legislation moving through the Senate would give the Pentagon explicit legal authority to do so.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Under Ben-Gvir, Israeli police have increasingly allowed Jews to pray at the site, a deliberate provocation to the Arab world, drawing condemnation from Palestinian and Jordanian authorities.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of authority

Browse Nearby Words

inflows

influence

influenced

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Influence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/influence. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of influence

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of influence

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Phrases Containing influence

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes