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to induce

to induce

168 5.3
Cause a process, event, or feeling to start
  • verb
  • /ɪnˈdus/
translation icon : causar
  • So I had my epidural, then we induced labor, then I had the kid.
  • induced changes
  • human-induced
  • climate-induced

When businesses cut their CapEx spending, they can induce their own recession.

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Examples

  • But if you turn on red light, that will induce the plant to flower.

  • The doctor can induce a reaction in the patient by administering the vaccine.

  • When businesses cut their Cap X spending, they can induce their own recession.

  • This frequency, paired with uncertainty, is thought to induce what researchers call dark flow.

  • Any perceived difference they find in themselves can induce feelings of self-loathing and isolation.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Now Ambien is known to induce sleepwalking.

  • The atmosphere induces a sense of calmness.

  • Preceptors are especially helpful when trying to induce higher-order skills in very large online classes.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Sulfonylureas, especially glibenclamide, and glinides have been shown to induce muscle atrophy in humans.

    Academic text (2017)
  • Certain sounds can induce feelings of relaxation and tranquility in listeners.

Synonyms

to bring
vsto induce
1.0

To cause something to happen or create a change

covers making processes, feelings, or events happen or come into being
to cause
vsto induce
1.0

To make something happen

focuses on making things happen or come into being rather than only effects
to inspire
vsto induce
837 3.2

Cause someone to feel excited and ready to act

is the general act of causing events or feelings, not only motivating people
to initiate
vsto induce
426 4.5

To start something such as a project or discussion

is the general act of making things happen, not only initial steps
to trigger
vsto induce
422 4.2

To cause something to start or happen

is the more general act of making things happen, not only starting actions
to stimulate
vsto induce
236 3.7

Make a person or thing more active, alert and responsive

is broader, meaning to cause things to happen not only increase activity
to bring about
vsto induce
203 3.0

To make something happen

applies to causing processes, feelings, or events to happen, not only changes
to spark
vsto induce
154 3.4

To cause something to start, often an idea or strong feeling

is the broader notion of making things happen, not only sudden starts
to make it happen
vsto induce
143 3.0

Get something you want by working to reach it

is the broader idea of causing processes, feelings, or events to occur
to provoke
vsto induce
115 3.7

Cause a reaction or feeling

is the wider act of making things happen, not only provoking responses
to breed
vsto induce
93 3.9

To cause a feeling or situation to begin

means causing things to happen in general, not only long-term developments
to invite
vsto induce
89 5.8

To make something bad more likely to happen

represents actively making something happen rather than only raising its chance
to bring on
vsto induce
81 3.5

Cause something, often a sickness or a bad feeling, to start

is the broader act of making things happen or come into being
to evoke
vsto induce
71 4.8

To bring a memory, image, or feeling to mind

is the more general act of making things happen or arise, not only mental recall
to arouse
vsto induce
57 4.1

Cause a feeling or strong reaction in people

is the broader act of producing events or feelings, not only emotional responses
to give rise
vsto induce
  • Formal
49 3.5

Make something happen

is the general verb for making things happen or come into being
to effect
vsto induce
  • Formal
46 6.1

To cause something to happen

is the general word for making things happen or come into being
to propel
vsto induce
45 4.7

To make someone want to do something

is broader, meaning to make things happen beyond just pushing people to act
to instigate
vsto induce
36 6.9

To cause something bad to start

is the general process of making things happen, not always negative or intentional
to precipitate
vsto induce
31 7.5

To cause something to happen suddenly before it was expected

is the general act of making things happen, not only sudden or early effects
to engender
vsto induce
  • Formal
26 6.9

To make a feeling or situation start

is broader, covering making events, feelings, or processes happen or arise
to set in motion
vsto induce
25 3.5

To make something begin to move or happen

is broader, covering causing existing things to arise, not only beginnings
to make things happen
vsto induce
21 3.2

To take action that causes events or results

describes causing things to happen generally, not only active implementation
to beget
vsto induce
19 7.9

To cause something to happen or exist

covers making things happen or come into being, not only results
to bring forth
vsto induce
16 4.1

To produce or show something new for others to use

is the general act of making events, feelings, or processes happen or arise
to call forth
vsto induce
7 4.9

Cause a feeling or reaction to appear in people

is the general act of making things happen or arise, not only producing reactions
to effectuate
vsto induce
  • Formal
4 8.6

To make something happen, for example a plan or change

means making something happen or come into being in general
to actuate
vsto induce
7.0

To make someone act because of a feeling or reason

is the wider act of causing events or feelings beyond motivating behaviour

Antonyms

2.3

Stop something from happening or someone from doing it

206 2.4

To stop moving or make something stop moving

How Direct

to cause
1.0
to induce
168 5.3
trigger
100 3.4
to bring about
203 3.0
to lead to
2.5

Surface Forms

induce infinitive
induced past
induced past participle
inducing present participle
induces third person singular

Morphology

induce = in + duce

The prefix 'in-' is productive but the root 'duce' is a Latin combining form not a standalone English word, so learners cannot reliably derive the meaning from its parts.

Etymology

Induce comes from the Latin parts in- 'into' and ducere 'to lead'. To induce a reaction is to 'lead' a body or thing into that state, so 'induce' means to cause something to happen.