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Meaning & use

inducement

noun·Academic

Last updated

UK/ɪnˈdjuːsmənt/
US/ɪnˈduːsmənt/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    Something offered, such as money or a benefit, to encourage a person to do something.

    Grammar: Often followed by to do something: an inducement to buy.

    Patterns

    • an inducement to do something
    • offer an inducement
    • inducement for someone

    The company offered a bonus as an inducement to stay.

    Free shipping was the inducement that convinced her.

    He needed no inducement to help his friends.

  2. nouncountablelegaldisapproving

    An improper reward or promise used to influence someone's decision, such as a bribe.

    Grammar: Often appears in legal or disapproving contexts: an unlawful inducement.

    Patterns

    • accept an inducement
    • unlawful inducement

    The official was accused of accepting an inducement from a builder.

    Offering gifts to a juror is an illegal inducement.

    The agent's secret inducement was exposed in court.

Word forms

pluralinducements

Common combinations

financial inducement
A financial inducement persuaded the family to move.
offer an inducement
The shop will offer an inducement for early payment.
no inducement
She needed no inducement to attend.
inducement to buy
A free gift is a common inducement to buy.
improper inducement
The report found improper inducements in the contract.
powerful inducement
Lower rent was a powerful inducement to relocate.

Synonyms and how they differ

incentive
Incentive is the positive, everyday word, while inducement can hint at pressure or improper influence.
bribe
Bribe always means a dishonest payment, whereas an inducement may be perfectly legitimate.
enticement
Enticement stresses attractiveness and temptation, often something pleasant or tempting.
perk
Perk is informal and describes a benefit that comes with a job, not an offer to persuade.

Opposites

deterrentdisincentive

Word family

induce verb
to persuade someone, or to cause something
inducer noun
something or someone that induces
induction noun
the act of inducing or formally introducing someone
inducible adjective
able to be brought about

Commonly confused: inducement or induction?

inducement vs induction

Induction is a formal introduction or the process of causing something, such as labor, while inducement is an offer meant to persuade.

Practice

The airline offered extra miles as an ___ for customers to book early.

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