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

offered bonuses as an inducement to be more productive

2

: the act or process of inducing

inducement of a confession by an interrogator

3

law : matter presented by way of introduction or background to explain the principal allegations of a legal cause, plea, or defense (as in an action for defamation)

Synonyms of inducement

• convincing
• conversion
• persuasion
• persuading

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 material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice. —Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025

The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice. —Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 27 Oct. 2025

Through a combination of pressure and inducements, Trump and his talented team have succeeded in forging an Arab-Palestinian front that supports the demilitarization of Hamas—an unprecedented achievement in a region where no actor has ever voluntarily surrendered its military capabilities. —Amos Yadlin, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2025

But the question is, what kind of a profit margin, if any, is there, and how much of an inducement is that to continue on in this universe? —Adam B. Vary, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1597, 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