Influence vs. Impact — What's the Difference?

Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on November 3, 2023

Influence is the capacity to affect character, development, or behavior of someone or something. Impact is the strong effect on someone or something.

Influence vs. Impact — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Influence and Impact

Key Differences

Influence is about having an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself, often without force or direct command. Impact, however, refers to a marked effect or influence that is often direct and powerful. While influence is suggestive and persuasive, impact is decisive and immediate.

Influence tends to be exerted over time, involving persuasion, guidance, or inspiration. It is a process that often happens gradually and can be subtle. Impact is the result of an action or event that causes a significant change or result, often occurring abruptly or with a noticeable force. It is typically more immediate and observable than influence.

Influence operates through indirect means, such as cultural trends, leadership styles, or individual charisma, often without a clear cause-and-effect relationship. Impact, on the other hand, implies a more direct cause-and-effect relationship where the outcomes are more clearly connected to the source of the change.

Influence can exist without visible outcomes, as its effects may be internal or emotional, and it might not lead to an immediate or observable change. Impact is usually associated with tangible change, often of a physical or material nature. While you can measure impact more easily, influence is often intangible and harder to quantify.

The intent behind influence is often to bring about voluntary change without coercion, relying on the power of persuasion or example. In contrast, impact can occur with or without the intention to make a change, as it could be the result of natural occurrences or accidents as well as deliberate actions.

Comparison Chart

Nature

Indirect, persuasive, often subtle

Direct, forceful, immediately noticeable

Timeframe

Gradual, long-term

Immediate, short-term

Visibility of Effects

Not always visible

Usually visible and tangible

Method

Through guidance or example

Through direct action or occurrence

Measurement

Intangible, difficult to quantify

Tangible, easier to quantify

Compare with Definitions

Influence

A person or thing with the capacity or power to affect someone’s beliefs or actions.

The professor was a major influence on her decision to study biology.

Impact

The action of one object coming forcibly into contact with another.

The impact of the ball broke the window.

Influence

The power to sway or affect based on prestige, wealth, ability, or position.

The company's influence in the industry waned after several failed products.

Impact

A marked effect or influence that something may have on its environment or society.

The charity had a significant impact on the lives of the underprivileged in the community.

Influence

The power to shape policy or ensure favorable treatment from someone.

Her influence on the board led to the adoption of more eco-friendly policies.

Impact

A strong impression made on an individual or group.

Her speech made a profound impact on the audience.

Influence

A power affecting a person, thing, or course of events, especially one that operates without any direct or apparent effort

The pervasive influence that TV has on modern life.

Young people falling under the influence of a radical philosopher.

Impact

The action of one object coming forcibly into contact with another

There was the sound of a third impact

Bullets which expand and cause devastating injury on impact

Influence

Power to sway or affect based on prestige, wealth, ability, or position

Used her family's influence to get the job.

Impact

A marked effect or influence

Our regional measures have had a significant impact on unemployment

Influence

A person who exerts such power

My parents considered my friend to be a bad influence on me.

Impact

Come into forcible contact with another object

The shell impacted twenty yards away

Influence

A determining factor believed by some to affect individual tendencies and characteristics understood to be caused by the positions of the stars and planets at the time of one's birth.

Impact

Have a strong effect on someone or something

The move is not expected to impact the company's employees

High interest rates have impacted on retail spending

Influence

Factors believed to be caused by the changing positions of the stars and planets in relation to their positions at the time of one's birth.

Impact

The striking of one body against another; collision.

Influence

To have an influence on (something); change

A news report that influenced the outcome of the election.

Impact

The force transmitted by a collision.

Influence

To change the behavior or thinking of (someone); sway

Negative ads that are intended to influence voters.

Impact

The effect or impression of one person or thing on another

Still gauging the impact of automation on the lives of factory workers.

Influence

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.

I have absolutely no influence over him.

Impact

To pack firmly together.

Influence

An action exerted by a person or thing with such power on another to cause change.

I'm not able to exercise influence over him.

Impact

To strike forcefully

Meteorites impacting the lunar surface.

Influence

A person or thing exerting such power or action.

He has been a great influence on the voters during the elections.

Impact

To have an effect or impact on

"No region ... has been more impacted by emerging ... economic trends" (Joel Kotkin).

Influence

(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.

Impact

To have an effect or impact. See Usage Note below.

Influence

(obsolete) The action of flowing in; influx.

Impact

The striking of one body against another; collision.

Influence

(electricity) Electrostatic induction.

Impact

The force or energy of a collision of two objects.

The hatchet cut the wood on impact.

Influence

(transitive) To have an effect on by using gentle or subtle 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.

Impact

A forced impinging.

His spine had an impingement; L4 and L5 made impact, which caused numbness in his leg.

Influence

(intransitive) To exert, make use of one's influence.

Impact

A significant or strong influence or effect.

His friend's opinion had an impact on his decision.

Our choice of concrete will have a tremendous impact on the building's mechanical performance.

Influence

To cause to flow in or into; infuse; instill.

Impact

(transitive) To collide or strike, the act of impinging.

When the hammer impacts the nail, it bends.

Influence

A flowing in or upon; influx.

God hath his influence into the very essence of all things.

Impact

(transitive) To compress; to compact; to press into something or pack together.

The footprints of birds do not impact the soil in the way those of dinosaurs do.

Influence

Hence, in general, the bringing about of an effect, physical or moral, by a gradual process; controlling power quietly exerted; agency, force, or tendency of any kind which affects, modifies, or sways; as, the influence which the sun exerts on animal and vegetable life; the influence of education on the mind; the influence, according to astrologers, of the stars over affairs.

Astrologers call the evil influences of the stars, evil aspects.

Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?

She said : "Ah, dearest lord! what evil starOn you hath frown'd, and poured, his influence bad?"

Impact

To significantly or strongly influence or affect; to have an impact on.

I can make the changes, but it will impact the schedule.

Influence

Power or authority arising from elevated station, excelence of character or intellect, wealth, etc.; reputation; acknowledged ascendency; as, he is a man of influence in the community.

Such influence hath your excellency.

Impact

To stamp or impress onto something.

Ideas impacted on the mind.

Influence

Induction.

Impact

To drive close; to press firmly together: to wedge into a place.

Influence

To control or move by power, physical or moral; to affect by gentle action; to exert an influence upon; to modify, bias, or sway; to affect; to move; to persuade; to induce.

These experiments succeed after the same manner in vacuo as in the open air, and therefore are not influenced by the weight or pressure of the atmosphere.

This standing revelation . . . is sufficient to influence their faith and practice, if they attend.

The principle which influenced their obedience has lost its efficacy.

Impact

To affect or influence, especially in a significant or undesirable manner; as, budget cuts impacted the entire research program; the fish populations were adversely impacted by pollution.

Influence

A power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc;

Used her parents' influence to get the job

Impact

To collide forcefully with; to strike.

Influence

Causing something without any direct or apparent effort

Impact

Contact or impression by touch; collision; forcible contact; force communicated.

The quarrel, by that impact driven.

Influence

A cognitive factor that tends to have an effect on what you do;

Her wishes had a great influence on his thinking

Impact

The single instantaneous stroke of a body in motion against another either in motion or at rest.

Influence

The effect of one thing (or person) on another;

The influence of mechanical action

Impact

The striking of one body against another

Influence

One having power to influence another;

She was the most important influence in my life

He was a bad influence on the children

Impact

A forceful consequence; a strong effect;

The book had an important impact on my thinking

The book packs a wallop

Influence

Have and exert influence or effect;

The artist's work influenced the young painter

She worked on her friends to support the political candidate

Impact

Influencing strongly;

They resented the impingement of American values on European culture

Influence

Shape or influence; give direction to;

Experience often determines ability

Mold public opinion

Impact

The violent interaction of individuals or groups entering into combat;

The armies met in the shock of battle

Influence

Induce into action by using one's charm;

She charmed him into giving her all his money

Impact

Press or wedge together; pack together

Influence

The capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something.

The influence of classical music on his work is evident.

Impact

Have an effect upon;

Will the new rules affect me?

Influence

The action or process of producing effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of another or others.

The cultural phenomenon had a significant influence on the generation’s vocabulary.

Impact

The forceful consequence of an action on a subject or object.

The new law had an immediate impact on reducing littering.

Impact

The power of making a strong, immediate impression.

The visual impact of the artwork was stunning.

Common Curiosities

Can impact be unintentional?

Yes, impact can occur without intent, as a side effect of an action or event.

Does impact always happen quickly?

Often, but not always; some impacts are felt over a longer period.

Do people with influence always have authority?

No, people can exert influence without having formal authority or power.

Can influence always be seen?

No, influence can often be subtle and not immediately visible.

Can an event have both influence and impact?

Yes, events can have both immediate impact and long-term influence.

Is influence always positive?

No, influence can be positive or negative depending on the context and outcome.

Can influence be negative?

Yes, someone or something can have a negative influence, leading to undesirable outcomes.

Can someone's influence grow over time?

Yes, a person's influence can increase with their achievements, reputation, or expertise.

Is influence always associated with people?

No, influence can also be associated with events, ideas, or objects.

Can the impact be controlled or managed?

Sometimes it can be, especially if the potential for impact is anticipated.

Are celebrities considered influences?

Yes, celebrities can be influential due to their public visibility and status.

Is impact measurable?

Yes, impact is often measurable, especially when it produces tangible outcomes.

Is influence always deliberate?

No, influence can be accidental or incidental, not necessarily intended.

Can the impact be reversed?

In some cases, the effects of an impact can be mitigated or reversed, but not always.

Does impact require a physical action?

No, impact can also result from non-physical actions, like decisions or statements.

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Author Spotlight

Written by

Fiza Rafique

Fiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.

Edited by

Tayyaba Rehman

Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.