induce

American  

[in-doos, -dyoos] / ɪnˈdus, -ˈdyus /

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.

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induce British  

/ 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

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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”; cf. adduce, deduce, reduce

Explanation

To induce is to move or lead someone to action. A promise of a lollipop can induce a toddler to do just about anything, even sit down and be polite to Aunt Edna. Older kids need something more substantial. Some people believe that if you offer someone a large enough sum of money, you could induce them to do almost anything. But a movie heroine might say to the villain, "Nothing could induce me to marry you. Not all the money in the world. Not if you were the last man on Earth!" Induce also means to stimulate the occurrence of something, such as medications used to induce vomiting, or to induce a pregnant woman to go into labor.

Example Sentences

Because of this, Becerra is also facing a misdemeanor count of attempting to induce false testimony.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

Studies point to wearables’ tendency to induce “self-tracking anxiety” or “health data anxiety,” the byproduct of too much information about one’s inner workings.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

Ministers walk a tightrope of preparing for various scenarios, updating us on what they are doing or willing to do and hoping they don't induce any sense of panic or alarm.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

“Improving affordability conditions have yet to induce more buying activity,” the trade group’s Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said in a statement.

From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026

Nothing, however, would induce him to spend a summer surveying it.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson

Related Words

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