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 firm is engulfed in a heated legal battle, in which two A3 partners sued the agency’s majority owner for breach of contract and fraudulent inducement. —Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2024

College athletes, some of whom spend more than 40 hours a week on sports and feel compelled to prioritize athletics over academics, can now sign endorsement deals, effectively be paid recruiting inducements through NIL collectives, and transfer schools as often as the market permits. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 17 June 2024

This idea will add the inducements of philanthropy to those of patriotism, to heighten the solicitude which all considerate and good men must feel for the event. —Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 30 May 2024

The RSUs for this new employee were granted as an inducement material to this new employee's acceptance of employment by the Company and were approved by the Compensation Committee of Jaguar's Board. —Charlotte Observer, 7 June 2024

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