influence means 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. It carries an Arena rating of 1392, earned across 5 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, influence ranks #1,251 of 17,052 for Best Fossil-Poetry Words, #2,028 of 17,052 for Words That Escaped Their Books, #2,824 of 17,052 for Most Ponderous Words, #2,833 of 17,052 for Most Malleable Words.
influence is pronounced /ˈɪn.flu.əns/.
Why “influence” is a great word
The capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something. From Middle English *influence*, from Old French *influence*, from Medieval Latin *influentia*, from Latin *influēns*, present participle of *influere* ("to flow into"), from *in-* ("in, into") + *fluere* ("to flow"). The original astrological sense referred to an ethereal fluid flowing from the stars to affect human destiny. Unlike "authority," which implies formal power to command, or "control," which suggests direct restraint, influence is an unofficial, persuasive seepage. It is the way a sister's laughter shapes your own sense of humor, the slow alteration of a friendship once someone you trust begins to love a book you have not read, or the quiet tributary that, over centuries, carves the canyon's course. We remain more porous than we admit, continuously taking the shape of what flows into us.
noun
- 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.e.g.“I have absolutely no influence over him.”
- An action exerted by a person or thing with such power on another to cause change.e.g.“I'm not able to exercise influence over him.”
- A person or thing exerting such power or action.e.g.“He has been a great influence on the voters during the elections.”
- 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.e.g.“God hath his influence into the very essence of all things.”
- Electrostatic induction.
verb
- 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.e.g.“The politician wants to influence the public.”
- To exert, make use of one's influence.
- To cause to flow in or into; infuse; instill.
Words closest in meaning
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