induce

verb

in·duce in-ˈdüs

-ˈdyüs

induced; inducing

Synonyms of induce next

transitive verb

: to move by persuasion or influence

: to call forth or bring about by influence or stimulation

: effect, cause

: to cause the formation of

: to produce by induction

induce an electric current

: to determine by induction

specifically : to infer from particulars

Did you know?

Inducing is usually gentle persuasion; you may, for instance, induce a friend to go to a concert, or induce a child to stop crying. An inducement is something that might lure you to do something, though inducements are occasionally a bit menacing, like the Godfather's offer that you can't refuse. Induce also sometimes means "produce;" thus, doctors must at times induce labor in a pregnant woman. Notice that induct and induction are somewhat different from induce and inducement, though they come from the identical roots.

Examples of induce in a Sentence

The advertisement is meant to induce people to eat more fruit. No one knows what induced him to leave. Her illness was induced by overwork. They will induce labor to avoid complications.

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

India could learn, for instance, from the way in which Japan set up a ministry of economic security in the aftermath of the shock induced by the pandemic. —

Harsh V. Pant, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2024 One theory is that its effects may have something to do with the drugs’ ability to induce the feeling of satiation. —

Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024 Building libraries, paving streets, operating 911 systems or responding to medical emergency calls induces officials to concentrate on reality, not rhetoric. —

Cindy Chavez, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024 This shift has been induced by the Fed’s recent interest rate cut – coming after 11 straight rate rises – and the prospect of more cuts as inflation cools. —

Control Risks, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for induce

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French inducer, from Latin inducere, from in- + ducere to lead — more at tow entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of induce was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Induce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/induce. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

induce

verb

in·duce in-ˈd(y)üs

induced; inducing

: to lead on to do something : persuade

: bring about, cause

an illness induced by overwork

: to reach (a general conclusion) based on particular facts or examples

: to produce (as an electric current) by induction

inducer noun

inducible

-ˈd(y)ü-sə-bəl

adjective

Medical Definition

induce

transitive verb

in·duce in-ˈd(y)üs

induced; inducing

: to cause or bring about

anesthesia induced by drugs

: as

a(1)

: to cause the embryological formation of

the optic cup induces lens tissue in the adjacent ectoderm

(2)

: to cause to form through embryonic induction

induce ectoderm to form a neural tube

: to cause or initiate by artificial means

induced abortion

induced labor

: to produce anesthesia in

the patient was induced by a mixture of thiopental and curare

Last Updated: 23 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

victuals

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

induce

verb

Did you know?

Synonyms

Examples of induce in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near induce

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition