induce
Americanverb (used with object)
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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.
- Antonyms:
- dissuade
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to bring about, produce, or cause.
That medicine will induce sleep.
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Physics. to produce (an electric current) by induction.
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Logic. to assert or establish (a proposition about a class of phenomena) on the basis of observations on a number of particular facts.
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Genetics. to increase expression of (a gene) by inactivating a negative control system or activating a positive control system; derepress.
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Biochemistry. to stimulate the synthesis of (a protein, especially an enzyme) by increasing gene transcription.
verb
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(often foll by an infinitive) to persuade or use influence on
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to cause or bring about
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med to initiate or hasten (labour), as by administering a drug to stimulate uterine contractions
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obsolete logic to assert or establish (a general proposition, hypothesis, etc) by induction
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to produce (an electromotive force or electrical current) by induction
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to transmit (magnetism) by induction
Related Words
See persuade.
Other Word Forms
- inducer noun
- inducible adjective
- noninducible adjective
- preinduce verb (used with object)
- reinduce verb (used with object)
- uninducible adjective
Etymology
Origin of induce
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
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.
After praising the Grammy winner’s “excellent performance,” Farah Griffin recalled thinking the energetic spectacle — a celebration of the Latin community — would induce labor.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 12, 2026
"Although the 2023 Nobel prize in physics shows we can access such short times, the use of such an external time scale risks to induce artifacts," Dil says.
From Science Daily • Feb. 9, 2026
To be fair, the gauziness feels right, for instead of offering a 10-point plan for a better life, the author is hoping to induce a shift in thinking.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026
The payments were intended to "induce Alison-Madueke to perform her duties as the Nigerian minister of petroleum resources improperly," lawyers told the court.
From BBC • Jan. 28, 2026
The sounds of Latin would sometimes blur my attention to induce an aimless drift inward.
From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez
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.
