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Definitions

influence

[in-floo-uhns] / ˈɪn flu əns /




Usage

What are other ways to say influence? Influence is a personal and unofficial power derived from deference of others to one's character, ability, or station; it may be exerted unconsciously or may operate through persuasion: to have influence over one's friends. Authority is a power or right, usually because of rank or office, to issue commands and to punish for violations: to have authority over subordinates. Control is either power or influence applied to the complete and successful direction or manipulation of persons or things: to be in control of a project. 

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This lack of a roughly circular orbit around the Sun suggested either an impact early in its lifetime that put it on this path, or gravitational influence from planet nine.

From Science Daily • Jun. 9, 2026

Moscow has reacted sharply to the prospect of losing another ally in what it sees as its sphere of influence.

From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026

Did speaking to Anne Hathaway influence your final draft?

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

Anthropic and OpenAI will join SpaceX at the US mega-corp top table – exerting hitherto unseen power and influence across the globe and unprecedented dominion over its citizens if its champions are to be believed.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

Hoping there was still some way to influence the White House’s Vietnam policy, Ellsberg asked Kissinger if he’d heard about the secret McNamara study.

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin




Vocabulary lists containing influence


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