影響の定義と意味 - メリアム・ウェブスター

INFLUENCE Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster Est. 1828 Dictionary Definition noun verb noun 2 noun verb Did you know? Synonyms Synonym Chooser Example Sentences Word History Phrases Containing Entries Near Cite this Entry Citation Kids Definition Kids Legal Definition Legal More from M-W Show more Show more Citation Kids Legal More from M-W Save Word To save this word, you'll need to log in. Log In influence 1 of 2 noun in·​flu·​ence ˈin-ˌflü-ən(t)s especially Southern in-ˈflü- plural influences Synonyms of influence Take our 3 question quiz on influence Simple Definition A Simple Definition is available from our Learner's Dictionary to help you understand the meaning faster. 1 : the power or capacity to cause an effect in indirect or intangible ways : sway an idea gaining influence on Capitol Hill … Michael continued to use his position and his influence to help impact the communities around him … — Brittney Oliver In time, klezmer even came to reflect the influence of jazz recordings from America. — Zedra Jurist Aranow Take our 3 question quiz on influence 2 a : the act or power of producing an effect without apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of command Emily Dickinson's enduring influence on American poetry … she came to realize that her presence in that house had no influence on what either woman did. — Toni Morrison Progressives fretted about the corrupting influence of Big Business … — Ron Chernow b : corrupt interference with authority for personal gain … the ethical implications of influence peddling . — Jacob Weisberg 3 : one that exerts influence hoping their son's friend will be a good influence on him 4 obsolete : an emanation of spiritual or moral force 5 a archaic : an ethereal fluid held to flow from celestial bodies (such as stars or planets) and to affect the actions of humans Oh, gentle moon! thy influence is like / A mother's love … — Albert Pike †1891 b astrology : an emanation of supernatural power held to derive from celestial bodies (such as stars or planets) The influence of Venus … will highlight an overdue relationship decision … — Phil Booth see also: under the influence Quiz: Which word is closest in meaning to influence ? influence 2 of 2 verb influenced ; influencing transitive verb 1 : to affect or alter by indirect or intangible means attempts to influence my decision greatly influenced by my parents … a parent watching a child's sporting event, hands twisted into fists, unable to influence the outcome. — Dave Eggers 2 : to have an effect on the condition or development of Productivity was influenced by worker satisfaction. … Marcus's identity … was deeply influenced by growing up in the working class, diverse city of Baltimore. — Susan Muaddi Darraj influenceable ˈin-ˌflü-ən(t)-sə-bəl adjective In the situation where performance measures are not seen as influenceable , there is little chance of the person seeing a connection between his effort and his rewards. — Lyman W. Porter et al. Did you know? The Surprising History of Influence and Its Modern Use Influence may seem like a ho-hum word, but its history is heavenly. The word first referred to a celestial fluid that was believed to flow from the stars. As this fluid reached the Earth, it supposedly affected the actions of the planet's inhabitants—especially the human ones. (The word influenza has the same origin: the Medieval Latin word influentia . It was for a time believed that epidemics were caused by unusual conjunctions of the planets.) In modern use, the noun typically refers to the power to change or affect someone or something—especially the power to cause changes without directly forcing those changes to happen. Influence can also refer to a person or thing that affects someone or something in an important way. The noun had been in use for more than 200 years before the verb use developed. As a verb, influence typically means "to affect or change someone or something in an indirect but usually important way." Something or someone that influences a person or thing, then, has an influence on that person or thing. Synonyms of influence Relevance Noun sway leverage authority Verb affect impact impress See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus Choose the Right Synonym for influence Noun influence , authority , prestige , weight , credit 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 authority implies the power of winning devotion or allegiance or of compelling acceptance and belief. his opinions lacked authority prestige implies the ascendancy given by conspicuous excellence or reputation for superiority. the prestige of the newspaper weight implies measurable or decisive influence in determining acts or choices. their wishes obviously carried much weight credit suggests influence that arises from the confidence of others. his credit with the press Verb affect , influence , touch , impress , strike , sway mean to produce or have an effect upon. affect implies the action of a stimulus that can produce a response or reaction. the sight affected her to tears influence implies a force that brings about a change (as in nature or behavior). our beliefs are influenced by our upbringing touch may carry a vivid suggestion of close contact and may connote stirring, arousing, or harming. plants touched by frost his emotions were touched by her distress impress stresses the depth and persistence of the effect. only one of the plans impressed him strike , similar to but weaker than impress , may convey the notion of sudden sharp perception or appreciation. struck by the solemnity of the occasion sway implies the acting of influences that are not resisted or are irresistible, with resulting change in character or course of action. politicians who are swayed by popular opinion Examples of influence in a Sentence Noun Recent years have seen a decline in the company's influence within the industry. Her ideas have gradually gained influence in the company. He used his influence to reform the company's policies. She has remained under the influence of her parents. She claims that her personal problems played no influence upon her decision to resign. His health problems may have had some influence on his decision. Her parents still have a great deal of influence over her. The chairman wields considerable influence over the board's decisions. Her parents are concerned that her new friends may have a bad influence on her. Emily Dickinson has had a major influence on his poetry. Verb I was deeply influenced by my parents. She claims that her decision to resign was not influenced by her personal problems. No one knows how this decision will influence the outcome of the election. He's accused of illegally attempting to influence the jury. See More Recent Examples on the Web 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 . Noun Bayly, unimpressed by the thirteen colonies’ influence , argued that the main engine of political modernity wasn’t a revolution in ideas but one in arms. — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker , 4 May 2026 If Banchero believes in Mosley, that belief will carry influence . — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel , 4 May 2026 Verb Keep it practical instead of idealistic or overly influenced by outside opinions. — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant , 5 May 2026 Esports and social media influencing , for example, create chances for young people to make money in the same vein as more traditional routes like acting and music. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com , 4 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for influence Word History Etymology Noun Middle English, from Old French, from Medieval Latin influentia , from Latin influent-, influens , present participle of influere to flow in, from in- + fluere to flow — more at fluid First Known Use Noun 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5a Verb 1658, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Time Traveler The first known use of influence was in the 14th century See more words from the same century Phrases Containing influence counter - influence drive under the influence put / throw one's weight / influence behind sphere of influence under the influence under the influence of Browse Nearby Words in flower influence influenceability See all Nearby Words Cite this Entry Style MLA Chicago APA Merriam-Webster “Influence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/influence. Accessed 6 May. 2026. Copy Citation Kids Definition influence 1 of 2 noun in·​flu·​ence ˈin-ˌflü-ən(t)s 1 : the act or power of producing an effect indirectly or without apparent use of force or exercise of command 2 : dishonest interference with authority for personal gain 3 : a person or thing that influences influence 2 of 2 verb influenced ; influencing : to have an influence on : affect by influence Etymology Noun Middle English influence "a fluid formerly believed to flow from the stars to cause people to act a certain way," from early French influence (same meaning), derived from Latin influere "to flow in," from in- "in" and fluere "to flow" — related to fluid Legal Definition influence 1 of 2 noun in·​flu·​ence 1 a : the act or power of producing an effect without any apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of command b : corrupt interference with authority for personal gain 2 : the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways 3 : one that exerts influence influencer noun influence 2 of 2 transitive verb influenced ; influencing 1 : to alter or affect by indirect or intangible means the exemption would allow a conglomerate that owns both a media business and an unrelated business to influence or control the media — Citizens United v. Federal Election Comm'