inducement

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

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

If synthesis — of the visible world with an implicit, all but tangible fantasy one — is Pokémon Go's sly inducement, locomotion remains its most conspicuous boon.

— matt peckham, Time, "Why 'Pokemon Go' Matters One Year Later," 6 July 2017
And all that becomes an inducement to get a financier to put up the rest.

— adam rogers, WIRED, "Luc Besson Tests the Outer Limits With Sci-Fi Epic Valerian," 6 July 2017
Coleman and other experts advise college and university clients to tailor academic offerings to student and workforce demand and adding popular inducements such as internship opportunities and affordable study abroad.

— jon marcus, Washington Post, "Many small colleges face big enrollment drops. Here’s one survival strategy in Ohio.," 29 June 2017
Unlike the Affordable Care Act and the House bill, the Senate bill contains no incentives or inducements for healthy people to maintain medical coverage.

— kaiser health news and the enquirer, Cincinnati.com, "Promises made to protect preexisting conditions hollow, experts say," 27 June 2017
Unlike the Affordable Care Act and the House bill, the Senate bill contains no incentives or inducements for healthy people to maintain medical coverage.

— kaiser health news and the enquirer, Cincinnati.com, "Promises made to protect preexisting conditions hollow, experts say," 27 June 2017
In others, governors and mayors are beckoning the industry to come to their states by changing laws or touting other inducements.

— brent snavely, Detroit Free Press, "Cities lure self-driving car jobs in a gold rush," 26 June 2017
Unlike the Affordable Care Act and the House bill, the Senate bill contains no incentives or inducements for healthy people to maintain medical coverage.

— jay hancock, Kaiser Health News, "Promises Made To Protect Preexisting Conditions Prove Hollow," 22 June 2017
Tax credits are generally meant as inducements for businesses and individuals to provide some type of social benefit in return for tax breaks.

— steve vockrodt, kansascity.com, "Audit: Unredeemed tax credits a $3 billion liability on Missouri’s budget," 21 June 2017

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

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

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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

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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

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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 the inducements amounted to entrapment