WordGarden.ioinducement
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ɪndjˈuːsmənt/
US
- /ˌɪnˈdusmənt/
Meanings
Noun
something offered to persuade or encourage someone to do something
a promise, offer, or representation that leads someone into a legal act or agreement
Beyond the definition
Imagine a baker trying to get you to try a new pastry. They might offer a free sample. That free sample is an inducement. An inducement is something offered or used to persuade someone to do something, usually by giving them a reason, reward, or advantage. It is more than a simple request because it gives the person something that makes the choice more attractive. You often see inducements in advertising, like "Buy one, get one free!", and in legal or business settings, where a promise or benefit may lead someone to sign an agreement.
The word inducement refers to something that persuades or influences someone to act in a certain way. It is usually something offered as a benefit, such as a reward, promise, discount, or special advantage. The idea is that the person is being given a reason to say yes, join in, buy, sign, or take some other action.
Think of it as the extra push behind someone's decision. A company might offer a signing bonus as an inducement to attract strong job candidates. A store might advertise free shipping as an inducement to encourage people to place an order. In law and business, the word often appears when one side offers a promise or benefit that leads another side to enter into an agreement.
The context of usage is important. In legal settings, an inducement can be an important part of explaining why someone agreed to a contract or took a certain step. In everyday English, it often refers to sales offers, bonuses, gifts, or other tempting extras meant to influence a choice.
While the word is often neutral, the thing being offered may be good, harmless, or wrong. A scholarship can be an inducement to apply to a school, but a bribe can also be an inducement. So the word itself does not tell you whether the action is ethical; the context does.
Examples
- 1
Hiring bonus
The company offered a signing bonus as an inducement to join before the end of the month.
- Patternas an inducement to + verb
as something meant to persuade someone to do it
- 2
Foreign investment
Tax breaks were used as an inducement for foreign firms to build factories there.
- 3
Election influence
He insisted that the gift was a thank-you, not an inducement to change his vote.
- 4
Travel choice
Lower fares may be enough inducement for some travelers to switch to the train.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Job retention
With no real inducement to stay, many young doctors moved abroad.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- financial inducement
- offer an inducement
- inducement to buy
- improper inducement
Word family
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Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- inducementnoun
Forms
- inducementspluralnoun