INFLUENCE Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'influence' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of influence are authority , credit , prestige , and weight . While all these words mean "power exerted over the minds or behavior of others," influence may apply to a force exercised and received consciously or unconsciously. // used her influence to get the bill passed

Q: When can 'authority' be used instead of 'influence'?

While in some cases nearly identical to influence , authority implies the power of winning devotion or allegiance or of compelling acceptance and belief. // his opinions lacked authority

Q: When might 'credit' be a better fit than 'influence'?

The words credit and influence can be used in similar contexts, but credit suggests influence that arises from the confidence of others. // his credit with the press

Q: Where would 'prestige' be a reasonable alternative to 'influence'?

The synonyms prestige and influence are sometimes interchangeable, but prestige implies the ascendancy given by conspicuous excellence or reputation for superiority. // the prestige of the newspaper

Q: When could 'weight' be used to replace 'influence'?

In some situations, the words weight and influence are roughly equivalent. However, weight implies measurable or decisive influence in determining acts or choices. // their wishes obviously carried much weight

influence 1 of 2

noun

ˈin-ˌflü-ən(t)s

Definition of influence

as in sway

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in effect

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

influence

2 of 2

verb

as in to affect

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word influence distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of influence are authority, credit, prestige, and weight. While all these words mean "power exerted over the minds or behavior of others," influence may apply to a force exercised and received consciously or unconsciously.

used her influence to get the bill passed

When can authority be used instead of influence?

While in some cases nearly identical to influence, authority implies the power of winning devotion or allegiance or of compelling acceptance and belief.

his opinions lacked authority

When might credit be a better fit than influence?

The words credit and influence can be used in similar contexts, but credit suggests influence that arises from the confidence of others.

his credit with the press

Where would prestige be a reasonable alternative to influence?

The synonyms prestige and influence are sometimes interchangeable, but prestige implies the ascendancy given by conspicuous excellence or reputation for superiority.

the prestige of the newspaper

When could weight be used to replace influence?

In some situations, the words weight and influence are roughly equivalent. However, weight implies measurable or decisive influence in determining acts or choices.

their wishes obviously carried much weight

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 influence

Noun

Could the influence of the powerful El Niño bring a storm to the California coast? — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 This architecture could give the president undue influence over which investors, regions, and communities benefit from recovery. — Jesse Marks, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026

Verb

The album paired the songwriter’s tunes with some of the female artists who had been influenced by her and also included appearances from Sinead O’Connor, Shelby Lynne, Norah Jones, Mindy Smith and more. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 25 Aug. 2026 The report, which was conducted by the National Restaurant Association and is based on surveys of consumers and restaurant operators across the country, found that health is already influencing some Americans' decisions about alcohol. — Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for influence

Recent Examples of Synonyms for influence

Noun

Softening rather than stiffening when moving through space requires embracing your body’s natural sway and tiny micro-movements, like an ankle wobbling or knee jiggling.

— Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
That’s given Betancourt tremendous sway in Venezuelan oil circles, the people said, in spite of years of investigations in Europe, the US and Venezuela over allegations of corruption, money laundering and tax fraud.

— Fabiola Zerpa, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of sway

Noun

Finally, Angel Martinez captured this gorgeous shot of the eclipsed Sturgeon Moon setting behind a cluster of skyscrapers in Madrid, Spain, as atmospheric effects distorted the true color and outline of the lunar disk.

— Anthony Wood, Space.com, 28 Aug. 2026
As climate change exacerbates the heat, experts say the negative effects of sizzling classrooms are here to stay, especially in school districts that may not have the resources to combat hotter weather.

— Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of effect

Verb

The instruments can move with greater flexibility than the human hand, while the system filters out natural hand tremors that could affect delicate movements.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
The gesture continues a pattern for Swift, who has a long history of quietly funding GoFundMe campaigns for fans and strangers facing medical emergencies, including past donations to families affected by natural disasters and accidents.

— Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of affect

Noun

Cybercriminals can build fake websites, use voice cloning and leverage so many new tools.

— Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026
At the same time, however, investors are watching closely how much leverage and debt flows into financing data center build‑outs and AI infrastructure.

— Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of leverage

Verb

Young, who also had a fumble, has been impressed with Freeling’s competitiveness in his first camp and chalked up the rookie’s struggles to who lined up opposite him.

— Joseph Person, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
But, with sky-high earnings expectations, can the group led by CEO Jensen Huang actually impress investors?

— Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of impress

Noun

On Monday, shortly after authorities began downgrading some mandatory evacuation orders to warnings around Somersett, Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam said people were already venturing too far into dangerous wildlands.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
The fourth person, who's at large, has not yet been identified by authorities.

— Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of authority

Browse Nearby Words

inflows

influence

influenced

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Style

“Influence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/influence. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of influence

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verb

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Synonyms of influence

noun

verb

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Phrases Containing influence

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More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

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