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Influence vs Confluence - What's the difference?

influence | confluence |

As nouns the difference between influence and confluence

is that influence is 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 while confluence is the place where two rivers, streams, or other continuously flowing bodies of water meet and become one, especially where a tributary joins a river.

As a verb influence

is to affect by gentle action; to exert an influence upon; to modify, bias, or sway; to persuade or induce.

influence

English

(wikipedia influence)

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.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-07-26, author=(Leo Hickman)
    • , volume=189, issue=7, page=26, magazine=(The Guardian Weekly) , title= How algorithms rule the world , passage=The use of algorithms in policing is one example of their increasing influence on our lives. And, as their ubiquity spreads, so too does the debate around whether we should allow ourselves to become so reliant on them – and who, if anyone, is policing their use.}}
  • An action exerted by a person or thing with such power on another to cause change.
  • A person or thing exerting such power or action.
  • * {{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=May-June, author= Katrina G. Claw
    • , title= Rapid Evolution in Eggs and Sperm , volume=101, issue=3, magazine=(American Scientist) , passage=Many genes with reproductive roles also have antibacterial and immune functions, which indicate that the threat of microbial attack on the sperm or egg may be a major influence on rapid evolution during reproduction.}}
  • (astrology) 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.
  • (obsolete) The action of flowing in; influx.
  • * Hooker
    • God hath his influence into the very essence of all things.
  • (electricity) Electrostatic induction.

    • Usage notes

    * Adjectives often applied to "influence": cultural, political, social, economic, military, personal, moral, intellectual, mental, good, bad, positive, negative, beneficial, harmful, huge, big, heavy, significant, important, potential, actual, primary.

    Related terms

    * inflood * inflow * influencer * influent * influential, influentially * social influence * sphere of influence * under the influence

    Verb

    (influenc)
  • To affect by gentle action; to exert an influence upon; to modify, bias, or sway; to persuade or induce.
    • The politician wants to influence the public.
    I must admit that this book influenced my outlook on life.
  • To exert, make use of one's influence.
  • (obsolete) To cause to flow in or into; infuse; instill.

    • Derived terms

    * influenceable * influencer * influencive

    Related terms

    * influent * influential * influenza, flu

    Statistics

    * ----

    confluence

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The place where two rivers, streams, or other continuously flowing bodies of water meet and become one, especially where a tributary joins a river.
    • We encountered an abandoned boat at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers.
  • The act of combining which occurs at the place where rivers and the lake meet.
    • The confluence of the rivers produced a great rush of water.
  • A convergence or combination of forces, people, or things.
    • The confluence of our skills resulted in a successful home renovation project.

    Synonyms

    * conflux

    Derived terms

    * confluence aloft