induce

[in-doos, -dyoos]

verb (used with object)

induced, inducing 

1. to lead or move by persuasion or influence, as to some action or state of mind.

   to induce a person to buy a raffle ticket.

   Synonyms: spur, urge, incite, prompt, actuate
   Antonyms: dissuade

2. to bring about, produce, or cause.

   That medicine will induce sleep.

3. Physics.,  to produce (an electric current) by induction.

4. Logic.,  to assert or establish (a proposition about a class of phenomena) on the basis of observations on a number of particular facts.

5. Genetics.,  to increase expression of (a gene) by inactivating a negative control system or activating a positive control system; derepress.

6. Biochemistry.,  to stimulate the synthesis of (a protein, especially an enzyme) by increasing gene transcription.

induce

/ ɪnˈdjuːs /

verb

1. (often foll by an infinitive) to persuade or use influence on

2. to cause or bring about

3. med to initiate or hasten (labour), as by administering a drug to stimulate uterine contractions

4. obsolete,  logic to assert or establish (a general proposition, hypothesis, etc) by induction

5. to produce (an electromotive force or electrical current) by induction

6. to transmit (magnetism) by induction

Other Word Forms

• inducible adjective
• noninducible adjective
• preinduce verb (used with object)
• reinduce verb (used with object)
• uninducible adjective
• inducer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of induce¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Latin indūcere “to lead or bring in, introduce,” equivalent to in- in- ² + dūcere “to lead”; adduce, deduce, reduce

Word History and Origins

Origin of induce¹

C14: from Latin indūcere to lead in, from dūcere to lead

Synonym Study

See persuade.

Example Sentences

A vast canyon of buried garbage has been smoldering inside a landfill in the Santa Clarita Valley, inducing geysers of liquid waste onto the surface and noxious fumes into the air.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Ten candidate molecules were developed, and three advanced to testing in rats with induced Alzheimer's disease.

Read more on Science Daily

“Paupers! Pirates! What a dreadful place London is. Wild horses could not induce me to return to this inhospitable city—Mrs. Clarke!”

Read more on Literature

Authorities in Iran have sprayed clouds with chemicals to induce rain, in an attempt to combat the country's worst drought in decades.

Read more on BBC

Iranian authorities have launched cloud seeding operations to induce rainfall as the country faces its worst drought in decades, state media reported.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• activate 
• breed 
• bring about 
• cause 
• coax 
• convince 
• engender 
• generate 
• lead to www.thesaurus.com
• motivate 
• persuade 
• produce 
• promote 
• prompt 
• urge