Someone or something that is influential has a lot of influence over people or events.
It helps to have influential friends.
...the influential position of president of the chamber.
He had been influential in shaping economic policy. [+ in]
...one of the most influential books ever written.
Synonyms: instrumental, important, significant, controlling More Synonyms of influential
More Synonyms of influential
influential in British English
(ˌɪnflʊˈɛnʃəl)
adjective
having or exerting influence
Derived forms
influentially (ˌinfluˈentially)
adverb
influential in American English
(ˌɪnfluˈɛnʃəl)
adjective
having or exerting influence, esp. great influence; powerful; effective
Derived forms
influentially (ˌinfluˈentially)
adverb
Word origin
ML influentialis
Examples of 'influential' in a sentence
influential
She is the single most influential person in my life aside from my parents.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It was also the most popular song on the increasingly influential karaoke video app musical.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
I am presented with an endless parade of hugely influential people on Today.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Inevitably, there will be in-form and influential players who do make it as a result.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
He's a very influential player in the set-up.
The Sun (2016)
He is a hugely influential figure in global broadcasting.
The Sun (2010)
They will have to attempt to correct this slide without two of their most influential players.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The most unexpected and influential people will be singing your praises.
The Sun (2012)
Who has been the most influential person in your life and why?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This idyllic upbringing was hugely influential on her style.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Whether parents exercise is also highly influential.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
There are no more influential players in green than those two.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
He remains one of the most influential people in our pharmaceutical industry.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Who has been the most influential person?
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Berlin has always been a hugely influential city for music.
The Sun (2010)
He also adopted an original and highly influential view of opera performance.
Susie Gilbert and Jay Shir A TALE OF FOUR HOUSES: Opera at Covent Garden, La Scala, Vienna and the Met since1945 (2003)
That changed over time and soon he became one of the most influential players in the team.
The Sun (2008)
Digital technologies are increasingly influential on the playing field.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
He is the most influential person in planting for landscape designers.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
He is the most influential player on the planet.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Increasingly influential player despite its history.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The individual voter cannot be very influential, just one vote in millions.
Hirst, Paul After Thatcher (1989)
It was a temporary presence, albeit an influential one.
Francis Pryor BRITAIN BC: Life In Britain and Ireland before the Romans (2003)
If they are the influential ones in the dressing room, the clock is ticking on you.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Not only did it redefine art, it did so in hugely influential ways.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The plan is to list as many influential Scottish people as we can think of.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Perhaps we can rescue a notion of media effect by suggesting that effects take place at the margin and such marginal changes can be highly influential.
Collins, Richard Television - policy and culture (1990)
In other languages
influential
British English: influential ADJECTIVE
Someone or something that is influential has a lot of influence over people or events.
It helps to have influential friends.
American English: influential
Brazilian Portuguese: influente
Chinese: 有影响力的
European Spanish: influyente
French: influent
German: einflussreich
Italian: influente
Japanese: 影響力の大きい
Korean: 영향력 있는
European Portuguese: influente
Latin American Spanish: influyente
Chinese translation of 'influential'
influential
(ɪnfluˈɛnʃl)
adj
[politician, critic]有权(權)势(勢)的 (yǒu quánshì de)
to be influential in doing sth对(對)做某事有影响(響) (duì zuò mǒushì yǒu yǐngxiǎng)
1 (adjective)
Definition
having or exerting influence
one of the most influential books ever written
Synonyms
important
an important economic challenge to the government
powerful
You're a powerful woman – people will listen to you.
moving
telling
Someone's attitude to wait staff is a telling clue to their personality.
leading
strong
The evidence that such investment promotes growth is strong.
guiding
inspiring
prestigious
It's one of the most prestigious schools in the country.
meaningful
a meaningful and constructive dialogue
potent
a potent political force
persuasive
a persuasive argument against reform
authoritative
momentous
the momentous decision to send in the troops
weighty
Surely such weighty matters merit a higher level of debate?
Opposites
powerless
,
ineffective
,
unimportant
,
weak
,
impotent
,
ineffectual
,
unpersuasive
,
uninfluential
2 (adjective)
Definition
having or exerting influence
He had been influential in shaping economic policy.
Synonyms
instrumental
He was instrumental in the release of some of the hostages.
important
significant
controlling
guiding
effective
You can't make an effective argument if all you do is stridently voice your opinion.
crucial
persuasive
forcible
efficacious
Additional synonyms
in the sense of effective
Definition
impressive
You can't make an effective argument if all you do is stridently voice your opinion.