# influencing

/ˈɪnˌfɫuənsɪŋ/ (US) · /ˈɪnfluːənsɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/influencing
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. affecting someone or something

verb · CEFR B2

changing or affecting the way someone thinks or the way something happens.

For teachers: exerting an effect on the nature, development, or behaviour of a person or entity. Often used as a gerund or in continuous tenses to describe an ongoing process.

- Social media is influencing the way young people communicate with each other.
- The lobbyist was accused of influencing the committee's decision by providing selective data that favoured his client's interests.

Usage: Often takes a direct object without a preposition; avoid saying 'influencing on'.

## Examples

- Social media is influencing how young people shop.
- The committee is currently influencing the final decision by providing expert data to the board members.
- By influencing the early stages of the legislative process, the lobby group ensured that their primary concerns were addressed before the bill reached the floor for a vote.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.