induce

[ in-doos, -dyoos ]

verb (used with object)

, in·duced, in·duc·ing.

1. to lead or move by persuasion or influence, as to some action or state of mind:

   to induce a person to buy a raffle ticket.

   Synonyms: spur, urge, incite, prompt, actuate

   Antonyms: dissuade

2. to bring about, produce, or cause:

   That medicine will induce sleep.

3. Physics. to produce (an electric current) by induction.
4. Logic. to assert or establish (a proposition about a class of phenomena) on the basis of observations on a number of particular facts.
5. Genetics. to increase expression of (a gene) by inactivating a negative control system or activating a positive control system; derepress.
6. Biochemistry. to stimulate the synthesis of (a protein, especially an enzyme) by increasing gene transcription.

induce

/ ɪnˈdjuːs /

verb

1. often foll by an infinitive to persuade or use influence on
2. to cause or bring about
3. med to initiate or hasten (labour), as by administering a drug to stimulate uterine contractions
4. obsolete.
   logic to assert or establish (a general proposition, hypothesis, etc) by induction
5. to produce (an electromotive force or electrical current) by induction
6. to transmit (magnetism) by induction

Derived Forms

• inˈducible, adjective
• inˈducer, noun

Other Words From

• in·duc·i·ble adjective
• non·in·duc·i·ble adjective
• pre·in·duce verb (used with object) preinduced preinducing
• re·in·duce verb (used with object) reinduced reinducing
• un·in·duc·i·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of induce¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Latin indūcere “to lead or bring in, introduce,” equivalent to in- in- ² + dūcere “to lead”; adduce, deduce, reduce

Word History and Origins

Origin of induce¹

C14: from Latin indūcere to lead in, from dūcere to lead

Synonym Study

See persuade.

Example Sentences

He added, "There's also been a spike in searches for 'frosting near me,' 'induce self coma how to' and 'cried so hard I pooped?'"

From Salon

Landry has also made it legal to use nitrogen as a form of capital punishment, added medication to induce abortion on the state’s list of controlled dangerous substances and made it so judges can order surgical castration for child sex offenders.

From Salon

It would make it illegal for someone to pressure, coerce or use dishonesty to get someone to make a declaration that they wish to end their life or to induce someone to self-administer an approved substance.

From BBC

Looking ahead to next year’s show — the first of two remaining in the academy’s half-century-long deal with CBS before the Grammys show moves to Disney’s ABC network in 2027 — Mason laughed when asked if the Beatles’ nomination might induce Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr to perform together on the telecast.

From Los Angeles Times

Voters in the key battleground states have been bombarded by campaign ads, much of it designed to induce fear.

From BBC

Related Words

• activate
• breed
• bring about
• cause
• coax
• convince
• engender
• generate
• lead to
• motivate
• persuade
• produce
• promote
• prompt
• urge