bad influence
Leads others astray
A bad influence is a person or thing that encourages harmful, immoral, or unwise behavior in others.
Parents worry about bad influences on their children—certain friends, music, or media.
The phrase often appears with *be*: Her ex-boyfriend was a bad influence.
Someone can also *have* a bad influence on another: Social media has had a bad influence on teen mental health.
Cause false belief
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
- enablerOne who facilitates harmful behavior
- corruptorOne who spoils integrity
tempter · seduction · enticement · vice · indulgence · taboo · addiction · compulsion
One of similar standing
- conformityAdherence to norms
- groupthinkConformity-driven poor decisions
- bullyingAggressive repeated intimidation
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
coercion · cliques · gangs · hazing · compliance · belonging · acceptance · fads
Biased information for influence
- indoctrinationSystematic uncritical belief instillation
- brainwashingCoercive psychological manipulation
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
deception · deceit · distortion · falsification · bias · skewing · manipulation · radicalization
Capable of causing harm
- negativityDisposition toward pessimism
- dysfunctionAbnormal or unhealthy operation
- codependencyExcessive emotional reliance on another
- enablingMaking something feasible
sabotage · jealousy · resentment · gaslighting · narcissism · exploitation · parasitic · draining
mislead
Cause false belief
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
- enablerOne who facilitates harmful behavior
corruptor · tempter · seduction · enticement · vice · indulgence · taboo · addiction · compulsion · decadence
peer
One of similar standing
- conformityAdherence to norms
- groupthinkConformity-driven poor decisions
- bullyingAggressive repeated intimidation
intimidation · coercion · cliques · gangs · hazing · compliance · belonging · acceptance · fads · trends
propaganda
Biased information for influence
- indoctrinationSystematic uncritical belief instillation
- brainwashingCoercive psychological manipulation
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
misinformation · deception · deceit · distortion · falsification · bias · skewing · manipulation · radicalization · extremism
toxic
Capable of causing harm
- negativityDisposition toward pessimism
- dysfunctionAbnormal or unhealthy operation
- codependencyExcessive emotional reliance on another
enabling · sabotage · jealousy · resentment · gaslighting · narcissism · exploitation · parasitic · draining · unhealthy
- bad boysrebel, rogue, troublemaker, delinquent, rascal
- bad girlsbaddie, mean girl, villainess, she-devil, troublemaker
- troublemakerstroublemaker, rascals, delinquents, imps, brats
- hangers-onhanger-on, tagalong, leech, parasite, freeloader
bad influencegood influence
role model · good example · mentor · moral guide · guiding light
influence, maximum, minimize, maximize, maximums, uninfluenced, maximise