undue influence — improper or excessive influence (especially over decisions or people)
The act of affecting someone's decisions, actions, or opinions in a way that is inappropriate, excessive, or unfair, often by using power, authority, or pressure.
Say it like a native
Textbook The will was contested on grounds of improper persuasive pressure.
Native The will was challenged for undue influence.
'Undue influence' is the fixed (often legal) term; spelling it out loses the precise meaning.
Pattern: undue influence (on/over someone/something)
In use
- The investigation found that the manager had exerted undue influence over the hiring process.society
- In my opinion, advertising can have an undue influence on young people, especially when it comes to unhealthy food choices.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ He had an undue influence over her.
✓ He had undue influence over her.
'Undue influence' is uncountable in this sense — no 'an'.
Common collocations
undue influence + over— over the elderly, exert undue influence, under, claims of
Don't confuse it
Unlike general uses of 'influence', 'undue influence' always implies that the influence is excessive or improper, often with negative consequences. It is not used for positive or neutral influence.