inducement

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

Updated on: 21 Apr 2018

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

The quotas and incentives driving the wealth unit’s strategy were similar to the inducements that led employees in the bank’s retail business to create roughly 3.5 million potentially bogus accounts, these people said.

— neil weinberg, Bloomberg.com, "Wells Fargo Sales Push Extended to Wealth Unit, Ex-Workers Say," 5 Apr. 2018
According to an indictment by the Richmond County grand jury, John Daniel Martin, 35, gave a man named Jacob Odum the inducements to vote for Phillip Stewart, who won the election in Blythe by four votes.

— john daniel martin, ajc, "Beer for a vote? Man indicted after allegedly buying support for mayor-elect," 29 Mar. 2018
But the little blue pill, now 20 years old, was more than just a punchline, or CIA inducement, or a vehicle for Bob Dole to get his groove back.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "The Viagra jackpot: A history of the little blue pill at 20," 28 Mar. 2018
Two weeks ago, the City Council approved inducement resolutions for the two incentives.

— steve lord, Aurora Beacon-News, "Aurora to consider study on tax incentives for what would be country's largest Asian shopping center," 10 Mar. 2018
On a practical level, the Jenkins case asks what would be the value of an athletic scholarship if colleges could increase that value as a recruiting inducement?

— michael mccann, SI.com, "NCAA Amateurism to Go Back Under Courtroom Spotlight in Jenkins Trial," 2 Apr. 2018
The lawsuit said Trump has failed to disentangle himself from his hotels and other businesses, making him vulnerable to inducements by officials seeking to curry favor.

— andrew chung, Anchorage Daily News, "Federal judge refuses to toss suit against Trump on foreign payments," 29 Mar. 2018
The report went on to outline vital recommendations for improved treatment guidelines and medical training, prevention of financial inducements for practitioners, a registry of high-risk implantable devices and an audit of past procedures.

— marian liu, CNN, "Australia investigates implants that left some women with 'rotting pelvises'," 28 Mar. 2018
Hulseberg pointed out that the inducements are not commitments for the districts.

— steve lord, Aurora Beacon-News, "Asian market seen as 'destination' development for Aurora," 21 Feb. 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

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