Being influential refers to having the ability to make a significant impact on people or events. There are many synonyms for this phrase, such as "played a major role," "were instrumental," "were pivotal," "were important," "were significant," "had a hand in," "helped shape," "were key players," "were major contributors," "were crucial," "were impactful," and "were influential forces." Each of these phrases denotes the idea that someone or something had a profound effect on a situation or outcome. They can be used interchangeably to communicate the idea of being influential in various contexts, whether it is in personal or professional settings.