inducement

noun

in·​duce·​ment in-ˈdüs-mənt 

-ˈdyüs-

1

: a motive or consideration that leads one to action or to additional or more effective actions

2

: the act or process of inducing

3

: matter presented by way of introduction or background to explain the principal allegations of a legal cause, plea, or defense

Synonyms

• conversion
• convincing
• inducing
• persuading
• persuasion
• suasion

Choose the Right Synonym for inducement

motive, impulse, incentive, inducement, spur, goad mean a stimulus to action.

motive implies an emotion or desire operating on the will and causing it to act.

a motive for the crime

impulse suggests a driving power arising from personal temperament or constitution.

buying on impulse

incentive applies to an external influence (such as an expected reward) inciting to action.

a bonus was offered as an incentive

inducement suggests a motive prompted by the deliberate enticements or allurements of another.

offered a watch as an inducement to subscribe

spur applies to a motive that stimulates the faculties or increases energy or ardor.

fear was a spur to action

goad suggests a motive that keeps one going against one's will or desire.

thought insecurity a goad to worker efficiency

Examples of inducement in a Sentence

Was his decision influenced by any illegal financial inducements?

Employees were offered a bonus as an inducement to finish the project on schedule.

The low interest rate was little inducement for individuals to save money.

Recent Examples on the Web

The new grants could be an extra inducement for these schools to offer new programs in high-demand fields, as well as give schools the financial capacity to expand. —Preston Cooper, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025

That deal with the Vol Club ended up drawing scrutiny from NCAA investigators, which led to the attorney general of Tennessee suing the NCAA and the association’s rules against NIL being used as a recruiting inducement being dropped. —The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025

Or mostly robotic, at least—the fruit flies the researchers used would occasionally go their own way, despite strong inducements to stay with the program. —John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2025

The various marriages, breakups, affairs, catfights, resurrection storylines, canine dream sequences, and Y2K-panic inducements have been a staple on Australian television, until Amazon took the series global by adding it to its Freevee platform. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 21 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

inducement

noun

in·​duce·​ment in-ˈd(y)ü-smənt 

1

: the act of inducing

2

: something that induces

a money-back guarantee is an inducement to buy

Legal Definition

inducement

noun

in·​duce·​ment in-ˈdüs-mənt, -ˈdyüs- 

1

: factual matter presented by way of introduction or background to explain the principal allegations of a legal cause (as of slander or libel) compare innuendo

2

: a significant offer or act that promises or encourages

the inducements amounted to entrapment