induce

[in-doos, -dyoos]

verb (used with object)

induced, inducing 

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

Other Word Forms

• inducible adjective
• inducer noun
• noninducible adjective
• preinduce verb (used with object)
• reinduce verb (used with object)
• uninducible 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

The vaccine produces a small, controlled amount of spike protein inside a few cells – just enough to induce an immune response without causing damage.

From Salon

But with these participants with clinical depression, we actually induced them to ruminate about negative thoughts and feelings before they went on the walk.

From Los Angeles Times

Following a severe battle with autoimmune encephalitis in 2022, which left Burton in a medically induced coma for 25 days, she returned to rugby and was first capped earlier this year.

From BBC

“Activities associated with the withdrawal of steam for producing electric power cause or induce small quakes to occur in the field,” the agency says.

From Los Angeles Times

He shakes his fists and jerks his legs in a manner suggesting a rare uncontrollable muscle spasm induced by a live electric wire arbitrarily applied to the spinal column.

From Salon

Related Words

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