induce
12 synonyms and 1 antonym for induce, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To persuade or influence someone to do something.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To persuade or influence someone to do something.
“The discount induced many customers to buy in bulk.”
2. verb
To cause or bring about a particular state or effect.
“The medication can induce drowsiness.”
Opposites
How to use induce
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
induce labor
induce sleep
induce a current
Etymology
From Middle English enducen, borrowed from Latin inducere ("lead in, bring in"), from in- plus ducere ("to lead").
Full origin of induce →Frequently asked questions
What does “induce” mean?
The word “induce” means to persuade or influence someone to do something. In plain terms, to cause something to happen — through persuasion, chemistry, or physics, depending on context.
How do you pronounce “induce”?
“Induce” is pronounced ihn-DYOOS (/ɪnˈduːs/ in IPA).
How do you use “induce” in a sentence?
Here is “induce” used in a sentence: “The discount induced many customers to buy in bulk.”
What part of speech is “induce”?
“Induce” is a verb.
Where does the word “induce” come from?
The word “induce” comes from Latin. From Middle English enducen, borrowed from Latin inducere ("lead in, bring in"), from in- plus ducere ("to lead").
Is “induce” a common word?
“Induce” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “induce” have?
“Induce” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to persuade or influence someone to do something.
What is the difference between "induce" and "persuade"?
Both can mean to influence someone to do something, but "induce" often suggests using incentives, pressure, or circumstances to bring about an action, while "persuade" emphasizes convincing someone through argument or reasoning. "Induce" is also used more broadly to mean causing a state or effect, not just persuading a person.
What does it mean when a doctor talks about inducing labor?
To "induce" labor means to bring on labor artificially in a pregnant woman, usually with medication, rather than waiting for it to start naturally. This is one specific medical sense of the more general verb "induce."
How is "induce" used in physics or electronics?
In physics, "induce" describes generating an electric current or magnetic effect through a nearby changing field, as in "a moving magnet can induce a current in a coil." This technical sense is distinct from the everyday meanings of persuading or causing.
