inducement

noun in·duce·ment \ in-ˈdüs-mənt , -ˈdyüs- \

|Updated on: 15 Jun 2018

Examples: inducement in a Sentence

Definition of inducement

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

See inducement defined for English-language learners

See inducement defined for kids

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 of inducement from the Web

With inducements and deals, loans and intense diplomatic pressure Beijing has picked off one African country at a time.

— david mckenzie and brent swails, CNN, "The kingdom that China just can't flip," 8 June 2018
An argument is made by some in the legislature that projects such as this would happen without the inducement of an enterprise zone to spark its growth.

— richard greene, star-telegram, "Tax breaks for one development shows why they can be good for a city," 1 June 2018
Although the turnout was typical of a midterm primary, this was no ordinary election, with inducements for voters on the right and left.

— jonathan lai, Philly.com, "What we can learn from low Pa. primary election turnout, and why it matters that just 1 in 6 Philly voters showed up," 21 May 2018
With little inducement, Cavaliere sat in a chair perched in the center of the school's cafeteria as staff, faculty, and students looked on.

— dennis hohenberger, Courant Community, "Principal Honors Bet For Autism Awareness Month," 15 May 2018
But North Korea is subject to strict new U.N. sanctions following its escalating missile and nuclear tests, meaning Moon alone has little power to offer economic inducements.

— charlie campbell, Time, "'The Korean War Is Over.' Kim Jong Un Begins 'Writing a New History' as the First North Korean Leader to Visit the South," 27 Apr. 2018
Over time, business discounts have evolved into a hybrid, part charity and part inducement to boost traffic to a movie, play, museum, store, service or restaurant.

— logan jenkins, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Seniors, don't discount importance of being curious," 3 May 2018
And now, as Maria underlined, America’s interest in and inducements to the islanders are running dry.

— The Economist, "America has let down its Puerto Rican citizens," 12 Apr. 2018
His inducement, according to correspondence viewed by SI.com, is the promise to oversee the investment of at least $500 million in new money in American pro soccer.

— brian straus, SI.com, "Rocco Commisso Wants to Inject Half a Billion Into American Soccer–With a Catch," 30 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inducement.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of inducement

1594

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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inducement Synonyms

Synonyms

conversion, convincing, inducing, persuading, persuasion, suasion;

seduction, tempting;

influencing, prompting, swaying;

lobbying, pressuring;

brainwashing, overpersuasion;

Synonym Discussion of 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

INDUCEMENT Defined for English Language Learners

inducement

noun

Definition of inducement for English Language Learners

: something that gives you a reason for doing something and makes you want to do it

INDUCEMENT Defined for Kids

inducement

noun in·duce·ment \ in-ˈdüs-mənt , -ˈdyüs- \

Definition of inducement for Students

: something that causes someone to do something Employees were offered inducements to retire early.

Law Dictionary

inducement

noun in·duce·ment \ in-ˈdüs-mənt, -ˈdyüs- \

legal Definition of inducement

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