Meaning & use

influential

adjective·Academic

Having significant power to shape opinions, decisions, or events.

See it in a sentence

The senator remains one of the most influential figures in the party.

That single essay proved enormously influential in shaping modern economic theory.

A note on using this word

Influential describes the capacity to affect outcomes or opinions, which is broader than 'famous,' since a person can be influential without being widely known.

Words with a similar meaning

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Words with an opposite meaning

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