INFLUENCES Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

influences 1 of 2

noun

plural of influence

as in sways

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

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as in effects

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

influences

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of influence

as in affects

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

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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 influences

Noun

Beirut's private-press scene has little in common with the studio culture of ’80s Tokyo, where an abundance of resources and technology filtered the same foreign influences into something more perfect and polished. — Shy Clara Thompson, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026 Over the years, his wardrobe has moved between sharp tailoring, sporty staples, and collegiate influences, with shell jackets, fleeces, wide-legged trousers, and oversized silhouettes all making regular appearances. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026 As with many student-athletes who played at Boise State in the 2000s and early 2010s, one of Moore’s biggest influences is former head coach Chris Petersen. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2026 This range gives his work room to move between club music, melodic influences, and records centered on relationships and life experiences. — Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026 Pradasphere, the first permanent exhibition dedicated to Prada after earlier traveling iterations in 2014 in London and Hong Kong, and in 2023 in Shanghai, definitely reflects this cross-pollination of influences. — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026 Kids discover older products through popular culture, family influences and their own curiosity about earlier eras. — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2026 Beat writing—its jumpy jazz rhythms light and alliterative, so unlike Faulkner’s sonorous throat clearings—did not jive with McCarthy’s other influences. — Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026 Govan drew upon a wide array of influences for Latif’s clothes, referencing Tuareg (particularly in the indigo color palette) and Baye Fall African warriors, as well as the more utilitarian aspects of Japanese samurai clothing. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 20 Oct. 2026

Verb

Reliability also influences the obligations that an AI system must perform following the production of an answer. — Ethan Stone, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026 Feel aside, a mattress also influences the look and proportions of your bedroom. — Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026 Once production is complete, every decision influences profitability. — Tom Wicky, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026 This pathway also influences mood and pleasure, which is associated with depression. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 19 Oct. 2026 This difference influences how nuclear fuel behaves and how a reactor sustains fission. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026 Although this can lose some of the intricate ways the global climate influences local weather events, the team was able to achieve a resolution of just 30 square miles, about the size of Glendale. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026 El Niño, a shifting climate pattern dictated by ocean temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean, influences weather around the world. — Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 That benchmark rate has a direct impact on credit card rates and influences other borrowing costs, too. — Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for influences

Noun

And Soorty’s Rebellion Noir concept leverages overdyeing, creating dark, moody denim.

— Sarah Jones, Footwear News, 3 Aug. 2026
According to Archer, Halo leverages technologies refined through nearly eight years of electric aircraft research and testing.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 23 July 2026

Definition of leverages

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 effects

Verb

As an independent woman of the time, Ware was the subject of gossip, and the treatment of her body shows how social class affects even the honoring of the dead.

— Marcus Librizzi, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026
When a savings affects a critical control, explain what changes.

— Aliasgar Dohadwala, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of affects

Noun

Electricity has been Fazio’s signature issue in the campaign, and he is recognized as one of the legislature’s leading authorities on the issue as the ranking senator on the energy and technology committee.

— Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 28 Oct. 2026
The fire damaged the premises of several commercial entities, authorities said.

— STEPHEN McGRATH, Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of authorities

Noun

Start with the community With a pragmatic and fair approach, data center infrastructure can operate from a combination of baseload fuels, battery storage, and renewables, while prioritizing community needs and impacts.

— Neil Chatterjee, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Any Tesla-SpaceX merger could also get examined by global antitrust enforcers for its impacts on overseas auto, AI, and aerospace industries.

— Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of impacts

Verb

Gunna somehow returns one of Gauff’s blistering serves into the net to kick off the clip, which impresses the 22-year-old tennis star.

— Michael Saponara, Billboard, 9 Oct. 2026
If Smith impresses in training camp, his non-guaranteed deal could be converted to a standard contract.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of impresses

Noun

Keep a tight core, a straight back and a slight bend in your knees, with the weights hanging straight down, palms facing one another.

— Sarah Stiefvater, Flow Space, 23 Oct. 2026
Steered models deleted their own weights 75% of the time and another model’s weights 58% of the time.

— Shae Lake, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of weights

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influenced

influences

influencing

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“Influences.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/influences. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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noun

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