inducement
Americannoun
-
the act of inducing.
-
the state of being induced.
-
something that induces, motivates, or persuades; incentive.
- Synonyms:
- lure, attraction, incitement, spur, stimulus
noun
-
the act of inducing
-
a means of inducing; persuasion; incentive
-
law (in pleading) the introductory part that leads up to and explains the matter in dispute
Synonym Usage
See motive.
Other Word 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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Hunger Games
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"A Modest Proposal," Vocabulary from the satire
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
His concern is what the law counts as inducement.
From BBC ● Sep. 29, 2026
Alphabet also might have wanted Berkshire’s involvement as an inducement for other investors to participate because of Berkshire’s outstanding reputation.
From Barron's ● Jun. 2, 2026
No inducement, it seems, can get him to do this, but Sophocles finds a way to persuade him to go.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 6, 2026
Special housing, whether on a military base, in a palace or sequestered in a guarded compound, is one such reward and inducement.
From Salon ● Mar. 24, 2026
I passed up the street, looking as I went at all the houses to the right hand and to the left; but I could discover no pretext, nor see an inducement to enter any.
From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions 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.
