INFLUENTIAL Synonyms: 86 Similar and Opposite Words

influential

adjective

ˌin-(ˌ)flü-ˈen(t)-shəl

Definition of influential

as in authoritative

having power over the minds or behavior of others in light of the effect that they have had, religious leaders such as Jesus and Muḥammad must be regarded as among the most influential people ever

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in powerful

having great power or influence a particularly influential politician got the team a new ballpark

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 influential The Kentucky Republican is regarded as one of the most influential and consequential American politicians in modern history. — Drew Pittock, USA Today, 1 July 2026 At a time when artificial intelligence and software continue to reshape the creative landscape, the MPC Sample became a powerful reminder that hands-on music-making remains as influential and inspiring as ever. — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 30 June 2026 The Founding Fathers left behind extensive writings, but new discoveries continue to deepen historians' understanding of America's most influential figures. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026 Investigative reporting this week by amaBhungane — an influential South African investigative journalism platform — shows that March on March leadership includes figures who move within former president Jacob Zuma’s family orbit. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for influential

Recent Examples of Synonyms for influential

Adjective

By separating address grouping, attribution, and operator, the proposal addresses a weakness that has long existed in blockchain analytics; confidence can be mistaken for proof especially given the lack of authoritative auditing standards.

— Sean Stein Smith, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Your 10th House of Career and Status gets a quiet lift from the Moon, which trines authoritative Saturn in your 2nd House of Finances.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 27 June 2026

Definition of authoritative

Adjective

Seconds later, a powerful explosion blasted through the doorway, shattering windows and sending vertical blinds and debris flying as firefighters quickly retreated from the building.

— Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
The brothers bonded over the game, but in his work, Grant so frequently provided a microphone for the voices a powerful organization would rather hush.

— Sam McDowell July 1, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026

Definition of powerful

Adjective

One interesting trend is that this tournament will feature some very good tight ends, a position that has become increasingly important in college football and the NFL but not so much in high school football in the era of spread offenses.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
As technology becomes more sophisticated and the number of living survivors continues to decline, preserving authentic testimony becomes even more important.

— Eva Weiss, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2026

Definition of important

Adjective

That’s reigniting age-old feuds about production quotas that already led the United Arab Emirates, one of OPEC’s most significant members, to leave the group in April.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
It is recommended that any batteries in devices that will be stored for significant periods should undergo a maintenance routine to maintain their health by charging them to half capacity every six months.

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026

Definition of significant

Adjective

Then Ryan played his part in achieving those goals Sunday, posting a dominant performance in New York.

— Dan Hayes, New York Times, 6 July 2026
The Angels dropped their fifth straight and 11th in 17 games, while Gray’s six-game run of dominant quality starts continues despite an All-Star snub.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026

Definition of dominant

Adjective

Beyond California, scientists are raising alarms over the planet’s warming oceans, which — coupled with a strong El Niño — could increase temperatures for land dwellers in the coming weeks.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Weather aside, Fall/Winter 2026 Haute Couture Week, running from July 6 to 9, will feature shows from 30 houses, compared with FW25’s 27-strong line-up.

— Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 6 July 2026

Definition of strong

Browse Nearby Words

influent

influential

influents

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“Influential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/influential. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of influential

adjective

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