influential

Compared meaning: having power or influence over others (adjective).

比较义项：对他人或局势有权势、影响力（形容词）。

• important

  Describes someone or something highly regarded or central in status, without necessarily implying real power, expertise, or control over others — milder than the rest.

  形容某人或某事物地位很高、备受重视，但不一定意味着真正拥有权力、专业能力或对他人的控制——语气比其余几个词更温和。

  Grandma was the most important person in our family, though she never sought power.

  奶奶是我们家里最重要的人，尽管她从未追求过权力。

• powerful

  Emphasizes real strength or control that lets someone dominate situations or people, often through force, wealth, or position, regardless of whether others admire or trust them.

  强调真正的力量或控制力，使某人能够支配局势或他人，往往依靠武力、财富或地位，而不论他人是否敬佩或信任他们。

  The powerful drug lord controlled the entire city's underground economy.

  那个强大的毒枭掌控着整座城市的地下经济。

• influential 本词

  Focuses on shaping other people's opinions, choices, or behavior over time, usually through ideas, reputation, or example rather than direct force.

  侧重于长期影响他人的观点、选择或行为，通常是通过思想、声望或榜样，而非直接的强制力。

  Her blog became so influential that celebrities started following her advice.

  她的博客变得非常有影响力，以至于名人们都开始听从她的建议。

• authoritative

  Describes a confident, expert manner or an official right to command that makes people trust, obey, or feel reassured; about credibility and legitimacy, not raw power.

  形容一种自信、专业的态度，或拥有正式的指挥权，使人信服、服从或感到安心；强调的是可信度和合法性，而不是纯粹的力量。

  The doctor sounded so authoritative that the nervous patient immediately calmed down.

  医生的语气非常权威，让紧张的病人立刻平静了下来。

Important, powerful, influential, and authoritative can all mean having power or influence, but the focus differs. Important means highly regarded, without real power. Powerful means real strength or control. Influential means shaping opinions over time, not by force. Authoritative means an expert, official manner.

这些词都可以形容某人或某事物对他人或局势具有权势或影响力，但侧重点和语气不同：important 侧重地位重要、受人重视；powerful 侧重实际的控制力和力量；influential 侧重对思想、决定或事件的影响；authoritative 侧重拥有正式权威或说话态度令人信服。这里不比较 important 表示「必要的、重要的」（如喝水很重要）等泛指重要性的用法。