IELTS Speaking · Vocabulary
influential
adjective/ˌɪnfluˈenʃl/Band 7
Last updated 21 July 2026
In short
“influential” is a Band 7 adjective that means having a great effect on someone or something. Below you'll find its pronunciation, natural example sentences, synonyms and antonyms, and the collocations that help you use it accurately in the IELTS Speaking test.
Meaning
Having a great effect on someone or something.
Example sentences
Natural, spoken examples at the level an examiner rewards.
- “She is one of the most influential voices in journalism.”
- “The report was highly influential in shaping policy.”
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
powerfulimportantauthoritative
Antonyms
insignificantpowerless
Collocations & common phrases
Word partners that make your usage sound natural — the difference between knowing a word and using it well.
Collocations
highly influentialinfluential figureinfluential role
Common phrases
an influential voice
Related words
Explore more vocabulary
Frequently asked questions
What does “influential” mean?
Having a great effect on someone or something.
How do you use “influential” in a sentence?
For example: “She is one of the most influential voices in journalism.”
What are some synonyms for “influential”?
Synonyms include powerful, important, authoritative.
Is “influential” good vocabulary for IELTS Speaking?
Yes. It is Band 7 vocabulary, and collocations such as highly influential, influential figure, influential role help you use it naturally. Reaching for precise, less common words like this is exactly what lifts your Lexical Resource score.
Next step
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