inducement

as in convincing
the act of reasoning or pleading with someone to accept a belief or course of action gave up smoking only after a prolonged inducement by all the other family members

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun inducement contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of inducement are goad, impulse, incentive, motive, and spur. While all these words mean "a stimulus to action," inducement suggests a motive prompted by the deliberate enticements or allurements of another.

offered a watch as an inducement to subscribe

When could goad be used to replace inducement?

While in some cases nearly identical to inducement, goad suggests a motive that keeps one going against one's will or desire.

thought insecurity a goad to worker efficiency

When can impulse be used instead of inducement?

The words impulse and inducement can be used in similar contexts, but impulse suggests a driving power arising from personal temperament or constitution.

buying on impulse

When is incentive a more appropriate choice than inducement?

The meanings of incentive and inducement largely overlap; however, incentive applies to an external influence (such as an expected reward) inciting to action.

a bonus was offered as an incentive

When would motive be a good substitute for inducement?

The words motive and inducement are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, motive implies an emotion or desire operating on the will and causing it to act.

a motive for the crime

When might spur be a better fit than inducement?

In some situations, the words spur and inducement are roughly equivalent. However, spur applies to a motive that stimulates the faculties or increases energy or ardor.

fear was a spur to action

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of inducement Trump and Musk maintain the government can achieve budget savings and shrink government using inducements to retire or be fired. Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 11 Feb. 2025 The Iranians are responding to several inducements, foremost among them the staggering array of forces the United States has prepositioned in the Middle East. The Editors, National Review, 17 Apr. 2025 Along with being able to use a TIF as an inducement to development, the village wants to use it to create stormwater storage capacity at the mall. Mike Nolan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025 Howe’s inducement certainly worked. Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for inducement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inducement
Noun
  • But in certain circumstances, the skin can't keep up with the conversion of sugars on the interior, causing the bananas to split in the process.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 15 May 2025
  • That motel conversion will cost over $500,000 per door to build, while the North Sacramento tiny homes will cost about $200,000 to build, according to the city and county staff reports.
    Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • Harnessing her previous courtroom experience, Turner writes with persuasion, every word targeted at the audience.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • Soft power is the ability of a country to influence other countries through persuasion and cooperation rather than military or economic force.
    Jared Gans, The Hill, 8 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Inducement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inducement. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

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