influence

Plural: influences

Noun

• a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc
  • "used her parents' influence to get the job"
• causing something without any direct or apparent effort
• a cognitive factor that tends to have an effect on what you do
  • "her wishes had a great influence on his thinking"
• the effect of one thing (or person) on another
  • "the influence of mechanical action"
• one having power to influence another
  • "she was the most important influence in my life"
  • "he was a bad influence on the children"
• The power to affect, control or manipulate something or someone; the ability to change the development of fluctuating things such as conduct, thoughts or decisions.
• An action exerted by a person or thing with such power on another to cause change.
• A person or thing exerting such power or action.
• An element believed to determine someone's character or individual tendencies, caused by the position of the stars and planets at the time of one's birth.
• The action of flowing in; influx.
• Electrostatic induction.

Verb

• have and exert influence or effect
  • "The artist's work influenced the young painter"
• shape or influence; give direction to
• induce into action by using one's charm
• To have an effect on by using gentle or subtle action; to exert an influence upon; to modify, bias, or sway; to persuade or induce.
• To exert, make use of one's influence.
• To cause to flow in or into; infuse; instill.

Examples

• He has been a great influence on the voters during the elections.
• I have absolutely no influence over him.
• I must admit that this book influenced my outlook on life.
• I'm not able to exercise influence over him.
• The politician wants to influence the public.

Synonyms

act upon, charm, determine, mold, regulate, shape, tempt, work

Related Words

flu, inflood, inflow, influent, influential, influentially, influenza