Definition of inducementnext
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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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 The two clubs and the player’s parents need to sign a declaration that no financial or value-in-kind inducements have been utilised as a part of the move. — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026 Examples of inducement include acceptance of tuition payment or the offer or acceptance of any other valuable consideration. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Aug. 2026 The House settlement authorizes the CSC to review NIL deals for evidence of possible recruiting inducements and similar forms of compensation used to sway where athletes decide to play. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 Aug. 2026 As an inducement to get votes from conservative rural congressional members, the OBBBA included a $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Fund, but this is substantially less money than the Medicaid cuts will total across rural America. — Keith Humphreys, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for inducement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inducement
Noun
  • The researchers concluded that modifying the cathode’s functional group chemistry provides a simple and effective way to improve iodine conversion kinetics while stabilizing aqueous zinc-iodine batteries.
    — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Tests in Italy and New York, where conversion increased, backed this decision.
    — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 4 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • So fill a surface with words, more words and larger words than are necessary; fill a surface with something—anything—that achieves a minimal degree of individuation as well as commercial persuasion.
    — Alec Mapes-Frances, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Our elections should reward persuasion, not purchasing power.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Technical knowledge can be taught and examined but the skills Freebairn values most, such as influencing, persuading, and negotiating, cannot.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • In reality, Blanding says, her sister didn’t need much persuading.
    — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 17 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Inducement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inducement. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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