Influence — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈin-ˌflü-ən(t)s/ in·flu·ence

Meaning & Definition of Influence

Influence (noun)

  1. the power or capacity to cause an effect in indirect or intangible ways, sway
  2. the act or power of producing an effect without apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of command
  3. corrupt interference with authority for personal gain

Influence (verb)

  1. to affect or alter by indirect or intangible means
  2. to have an effect on the condition or development of

Influence (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

    similar: authority, clout, credit, heft, in, juice (slang), leverage, pull, sway, weight
    related: counterinfluence, command, dominance, dominion, mastery, predominance, reign, scepter, sovereignty, supremacy, consequence, eminence, importance, moment, impact, impress, impression, imprint, mark
    near: helplessness, impotence, impotency, powerlessness, weakness

  2. 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"

    similar: effect, impact, mark, repercussion, sway
    related: authority, clout, prestige, pull, weight, command, domination, dominion, mastery, consequence, importance, significance, sovereignty, supremacy
    near: helplessness, impotence, impotency, powerlessness, weakness

Influence (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

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

Related Entry: Under the influence (phrase)

Under the influence is a different word from Influence. The synonyms below are for under the influence, not for influence.

  1. being under the influence of alcohol

    "Not wanting to drive while under the influence, she called a cab to take her home."

    similar: besotted, blasted (slang), blind, blitzed (slang), blotto (slang), bombed, boozy, canned (slang), cockeyed, crocked, drunk, drunken, fried, gassed, hammered (slang), high, impaired, inebriate, inebriated, intoxicated, juiced (slang), lit, lit up, loaded (slang), looped, oiled (slang), pickled, pie-eyed, plastered, potted (slang), ripped (slang), sloshed (slang), smashed (slang), sottish, soused, sozzled, squiffed, stewed, stiff, stinking (slang), stoned, tanked (slang), tiddly (chiefly British), tight, tipsy, wasted (slang), wet, wiped out (slang), in one's cups, in the bag (slang), three sheets in the wind, under the weather
    related: maudlin, beery, befuddled, bleary-eyed, crapulous, dopey, rocky, strung out, stupefied, debauched, dissipated, dissolute, alcoholic, bibulous, dipsomaniacal
    opposite: sober, straight
    near: abstemious, abstinent, dry, temperate, teetotal, clearheaded, cool, level, steady

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Influence

The most common words with a similar meaning to Influence:

Slang: juice
authority, clout, credit, heft, in, leverage, pull, sway, weight, effect, impact, mark, repercussion, affect, impress, move, reach, strike, tell (on), touch, get to

Related Words for Influence

counterinfluence, command, dominance, dominion, mastery, predominance, reign, scepter, sovereignty, supremacy, consequence, eminence, importance, moment, impression, imprint, prestige, domination, significance, carry away, dazzle, enrapture, entrance, enthrall, ravish, transport, bias, color, inspire, stir

Near Antonyms of Influence

helplessness, impotence, impotency, powerlessness, weakness, bore, jade, pall, tire, weary, underwhelm

Word Forms of Influence

Inflections: influences, influenced, influencing

Derived words: influenceable (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Influence

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 fluid

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Influence

Words & Phrases Containing Influence

sphere of influence, under the influence, drive under the influence, under the influence of, counterinfluence, interinfluence, put/throw one's weight/influence behind

Frequently Asked Questions about Influence

What does "Influence" mean?

"Influence" means the power or capacity to cause an effect in indirect or intangible ways, sway. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: the power or capacity to cause an effect in indirect or intangible ways, sway. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Influence"?

Other words for "Influence" include authority, clout, credit, heft, in, juice, leverage and pull. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Influence" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Influence"?

There are 87 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Influence". Common alternatives include authority, clout, credit, heft, in, juice, leverage, pull, sway and weight.

How do you use "Influence" in a sentence?

Examples of "Influence" in a sentence: "a mayor who doesn't hesitate to use her influence to get business leaders behind civic improvements"; "the basic premise of astrology is that the position of the stars has an influence on human affairs"; "the news reports of the devastating flood influenced a great many people to make contributions for food and supplies".

Is "Influence" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Influence" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Influence" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Influence" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.

How do you pronounce "Influence"?

"Influence" is pronounced /ˈin-ˌflü-ən(t)s/ and divided into syllables as in·flu·ence.

What is the origin of the word "Influence"?

"Influence" comes from 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 fluid. First known use: 14th century.