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Overwhelm vs Influence - What's the difference?

overwhelm | influence |

As verbs the difference between overwhelm and influence

is that overwhelm is to engulf, surge over and submerge while influence is to affect by gentle action; to exert an influence upon; to modify, bias, or sway; to persuade or induce.

As a noun 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.

overwhelm

English

Verb

  • To engulf, surge over and submerge.
  • The dinghy was overwhelmed by the great wave.
  • To overpower, crush.
  • In December 1939 the Soviet Union attacked Finland with overwhelming force.
  • * Bible, Psalms lxxviii. 53
  • The sea overwhelmed their enemies.
  • To overpower emotionally.
  • He was overwhelmed with guilt.
    Joy overwhelmed her when she realized that she had won a million dollars.
  • To cause to surround, to cover.
  • (Papin)

    Derived terms

    * overwhelming

    See also

    * too many balls in the air

    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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