inducement

as in convincing
the act of reasoning or pleading with someone to accept a belief or course of action gave up smoking only after a prolonged inducement by all the other family members

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the noun inducement contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of inducement are goad, impulse, incentive, motive, and spur. While all these words mean "a stimulus to action," inducement suggests a motive prompted by the deliberate enticements or allurements of another.

offered a watch as an inducement to subscribe

When could goad be used to replace inducement?

While in some cases nearly identical to inducement, goad suggests a motive that keeps one going against one's will or desire.

thought insecurity a goad to worker efficiency

When can impulse be used instead of inducement?

The words impulse and inducement can be used in similar contexts, but impulse suggests a driving power arising from personal temperament or constitution.

buying on impulse

When is incentive a more appropriate choice than inducement?

The meanings of incentive and inducement largely overlap; however, incentive applies to an external influence (such as an expected reward) inciting to action.

a bonus was offered as an incentive

When would motive be a good substitute for inducement?

The words motive and inducement are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, motive implies an emotion or desire operating on the will and causing it to act.

a motive for the crime

When might spur be a better fit than inducement?

In some situations, the words spur and inducement are roughly equivalent. However, spur applies to a motive that stimulates the faculties or increases energy or ardor.

fear was a spur to action

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of inducement Many of the tactics deployed against the party in the lead-up to the 2024 election—including politically motivated legal cases against its leaders, arrests of its workers, and inducements to candidates to switch sides—were deployed in its favor against the PML-N before elections in 2018. Sarah Khan, Foreign Affairs, 5 Mar. 2024 That complaint repeated many of her initial claims, while also accusing the producers of breach of contract, false imprisonment, fraudulent inducement, and inflection of emotional distress. Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 22 Nov. 2024 In theory, this would root out pay-for-play inducements. Justin Williams, The Athletic, 1 Aug. 2024 In some ways, the House settlement accepts and accommodates this reality while also aiming to put some of that inducement back in the tube. Justin Williams, The Athletic, 1 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for inducement 

Thesaurus Entries Near inducement

Cite this Entry

“Inducement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inducement. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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