influence

[in-floo-uhns]

noun

1. the capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on or produce effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of others.

   He used family influence to get the contract.

2. the action or process of producing effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of another or others.

   Her mother's influence made her stay.

   Synonyms: guidance, pressure, sway, effect

3. a person or thing that exerts influence.

   He is an influence for the good.

4. Astrology.

   1. the radiation of an ethereal fluid from the stars, regarded as affecting human actions and destinies.

   2. the exercise of occult power by the stars, or such power as exercised.

5. the exercise of similar power by human beings.

6. Obsolete.,  influx.

verb (used with object)

influenced, influencing 

1. to exercise influence on; affect; sway.

   to influence a person.

   Synonyms: move, impress, control, direct, bias

2. to move or impel (a person) to some action.

   Outside factors influenced her to resign.

   Synonyms: persuade, induce, instigate, arouse, rouse, incite

influence

/ ˈɪnflʊəns /

noun

1. an effect of one person or thing on another

2. the power of a person or thing to have such an effect

3. power or sway resulting from ability, wealth, position, etc

4. a person or thing having influence

5. astrology an ethereal fluid or occult power regarded as emanating from the stars and affecting a person's actions, future, etc

6. informal,  drunk

verb

1. to persuade or induce

2. to have an effect upon (actions, events, etc); affect

Other Word Forms

• influenceable adjective
• influencer noun
• counterinfluence noun
• interinfluence verb
• noninfluence noun
• outinfluence verb (used with object)
• overinfluence verb (used with object)
• preinfluence noun
• reinfluence verb (used with object)
• superinfluence noun
• uninfluenced adjective
• uninfluencing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of influence¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Medieval Latin influentia “stellar emanation,” equivalent to Latin influent- ( influent ) + -ia -y ³; -ence

Word History and Origins

Origin of influence¹

C14: from Medieval Latin influentia emanation of power from the stars, from Latin influere to flow into, from fluere to flow

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. under the influence, less than drunk but with one's nervous system impaired: Also under the influence of intoxicating liquor

   He was driving while under the influence.

see under the influence.

Example Sentences

Cutler was charged with DUI, possession of a handgun while under the influence, failure to exercise due care and violating implied consent.

From Los Angeles Times

“I don’t think that any change in leadership in Israel is going to influence the views and perspectives of the base of the Democratic Party and the grassroots.”

From Salon

"She was born in a country that was under Soviet influence, and has a level of sensitivity that maybe others don't have," she said.

From BBC

Lord Murphy's report, published on Thursday, found that there are still "some gaps" in how Northern Ireland politicians can influence EU laws that apply through the Windsor Framework.

From BBC

The look was all the more striking compared with the leading fashion influences of the day.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• clout 
• consequence 
• control 
• domination 
• effect 
• force 
• impact 
• importance 
• leadership 
• leverage 
• money 
• pressure 
• prestige 
• repercussion 
• reputation 
• significance 
• weight 

When To Use

What are other ways to say influence?

Influence is the action or process of producing effects on the actions, behavior, opinions of another or others. How does influence compare to control and authority? Find out on Thesaurus.com.