inducement
Americannoun
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the act of inducing.
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the state of being induced.
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something that induces, motivates, or persuades; incentive.
- Synonyms:
- lure, attraction, incitement, spur, stimulus
noun
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the act of inducing
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a means of inducing; persuasion; incentive
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law (in pleading) the introductory part that leads up to and explains the matter in dispute
Synonym Usage
See motive.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of inducement
Explanation
The act of persuading someone to do something is called inducement. If you're training a dog, you might use food as an inducement to make the dog do what you want. This works with some humans too. The original meaning of the noun inducement came from the Latin verb inducere, meaning "to lead or persuade." Roman philosopher Seneca said, “There is no evil that does not promise inducements. Avarice promises money; luxury, a varied assortment of pleasures; ambition, a purple robe and applause. Vices tempt you by the rewards they offer.” So you can be seduced to bad behavior by some inducements or encouraged to good behavior by others. Would you like a treat?
Vocabulary lists containing inducement
Lead the Way: Duc and Duct
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The Hunger Games
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"A Modest Proposal," Vocabulary from the satire
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
TransCanada's proposal was selected by the state government under its Alaska Gasline Inducement Act, which made it eligible for $500 million in state money.
From Reuters • Jun. 29, 2010
Easy Terms�A Dangerous Inducement For the privilege of driving a record number of new cars out of dealer showrooms this year.
From Time Magazine Archive
It would be a strong Inducement to me to leave domestick Enjoymt, that I might take as great a Share of the Burthen with you as my Shoulders would bear.
From The Writings of Samuel Adams - Volume 4 by Cushing, Harry Alonzo
Which the great man thought would be a strong Inducement to persuade me joyfully to accept of the Kings Employments.
But if not, let him know that the Hopes of seeing him at Philadelphia is a strong Inducement to me, otherwise against my Inclination, to visit Philadelphia once more.
From The Writings of Samuel Adams - Volume 4 by Cushing, Harry Alonzo
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
