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Interference vs Influence - What's the difference?

interference | influence |

As nouns the difference between interference and influence

is that interference is the act of interfering with something, or something that interferes while 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.

As a verb influence is

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

interference

Noun

  • The act of interfering with something, or something that interferes.
  • (sports) The illegal obstruction of an opponent in some ball games.
  • They were glued to the TV, as the referee called out a fifteen yard penalty for interference .
  • (physics) An effect caused by the superposition of two systems of waves, such as a distortion on a broadcast signal due to atmospheric or other effects.
  • They wanted to watch the game on TV, but there was too much interference to even make out the score on the tiny screen.
  • (US, legal) In United States patent law, an inter partes proceeding to determine the priority issues of multiple patent applications; a priority contest.
  • (chess) The interruption of the line between an attacked piece and its defender by sacrificially interposing a piece.
  • Antonyms

    * non-interference

    Derived terms

    * interference drag * interference filter * interference fit * interference fringes * interference microscope

    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.

    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

    Statistics

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