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influence Definition

in·flu·ence (in′flo̵̅o̅ əns, in flo̵̅o̅′əns)

noun

  1. Astrol. the flowing of an ethereal fluid or power from the stars, thought to affect people's character and actions
    1. the power of persons or things to affect others, seen only in its effects
    2. the action or effect of such power
  3. the ability of a person or group to produce effects indirectly by means of power based on wealth, high position, etc.
  4. a person or thing that has influence
  5. Elec. the effect of an external field

Etymology: OFr < ML influentia, a flowing in < L influens, prp. of influere, to flow in < -in, in + fluere, to flow: see fluctuate

transitive verb -·enced, -·enc·ing

to exert or have influence on; have an effect on the nature, behavior, development, action, or thought of

influence Synonyms

influence

n.

  1. Attraction

    sway, spell, magnetism; see attraction 1.

  2. Power to influence others

    control, weight, authority, supremacy, command, domination, leadership, power, leverage, prerogative, esteem, monopoly, rule, sway, hold, fame, prominence, prestige, character, reputation, force, impact, importance, significance, connections, power behind the throne*, clout*, juice*, pull*; see also impact 2, leadership 1, power 2.

influence implies the power of persons or things (whether or not exerted consciously or overtly) to affect others used his influence to get elected; authority implies the power to command acceptance, belief, obedience, etc., based on strength of character, expertness of knowledge, etc. a statement made on good authority; prestige implies the power to command esteem or admiration, based on brilliance of achievement or outstanding superiority; weight implies influence that is more or less preponderant in its effect his viewpoint had great weight with his colleagues

influence Synonyms

influence

v.

affect, sway, impress, incline, move, dispose, carry weight, count, be influential, determine, make oneself felt, have influence over, lead, touch, lead to believe, get into favor, bring pressure to bear, bribe, seduce, talk into, alter, change, modify, act upon, act on, brainwash, direct, control, regulate, rule, guide, compel, urge, incite, bias, prejudice, turn, train, channel, mold, form, shape, argue into, exercise influence, exert influence, have a part in, bear upon, impact, impact on, gain the confidence of, gain a hold upon, be recognized, make one's voice heard, manipulate, bend to one's will, induce, cajole, convince, persuade, inveigle, motivate, inspire, actuate, prevail over, get at*, have an in*, pull strings*, fix*, wear the pants*, have pull*, have clout*, twist around one's little finger*, have a finger in the pie*, lead by the nose*, have one's ear*, lobby through*, have the inside track*, have in one's pocket*. See syn. study at affect.affect.

influence Usage Examples

Preposition: of

alcohol: No one under the influence of alcohol will be allowed to sail.

Object

  • decision: Analyzing the status of various client groups can influence decisions on whether to begin new groups or focus on capacity building of existing groups.
  • outcome: In that case, bloc voting did not substantially influence the outcome.
  • policy: Projects are wide-ranging from scientific research, through to influencing policy.
  • behavior: Gravity is a force that influences the behavior of objects in the real world.
  • opinion: There are still areas of resistance to change and they are still attempting to influence opinion at the highest level.
  • perception: It will provide support to government departments, and will work to influence public perception and build awareness of disability issues.

Converse of object

  • exert: First, whether it can move beyond the role of passive recipient of management information to exert active influence over company policy.
  • wield: In Britain, finally, the church, or rather the churches, wield tremendous influence in all spheres of life.
  • exercise: Cosmology, for instance, is entirely founded on observation of a system over which we apparently can exercise no direct influence.
  • corrupt: Public anxiety about the potentially corrupting influence of the new language was constant from its birth.
  • have: Soil The texture of soil has a large influence on the nitrogen content of the soil.
  • examine: The Business Environment examines the external influences on business organizations.

Adjective modifier

  • undue: Knowledge and approval; effect of undue influence, suspicious circumstances, fraud, mistake.
  • profound: To manage holiday a profound influence no bureaucracy and.
  • considerable: However, despite their considerable influence, the political correspondents were unable to stand in the way of change.
  • musical: What have been your main musical influences, and which bands can you hear your influence in?
  • strong: Dracula - Best Vampire book ever written - strong influence on all modern vampire tales.
  • powerful: Media, and TV in particular, holds probably the most powerful influence on our society and that's why we're into it.

Noun used with modifier

jazz: Franks for his use of jazz influences to compliment his excellent lyric content and King for writing some of the great soul classics.

Browse dictionary entries near influence

  1. ‹ inflow
  2. ‹ inflorescence
  3. ‹ infliction
  4. ‹ inflict
  5. ‹ inflexion
  6. ‹ inflexibly
  7. ‹ inflexible
  8. ‹ inflexibility
  9. ‹ inflexed
  10. ‹ inflectional
  1. influenced ›
  2. influent ›
  3. influential ›
  4. influenza ›
  5. influx ›
  6. info ›
  7. infobahn ›
  8. infold ›
  9. infomercial ›
  10. inform ›