counterincentive

noun

coun·​ter·​in·​cen·​tive ˌkau̇n-tər-in-ˈsen-tiv How to pronounce counterincentive (audio)
variants or counter-incentive
plural counterincentives or counter-incentives
: something that discourages or tends to discourage a particular action : an incentive to avoid doing something
The company offered financial counterincentives to early retirement.
And the market doesn't create counter-incentives that would push us in a responsible direction …James Surowiecki

Word History

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of counterincentive was in 1871

Dictionary Entries Near counterincentive

Cite this Entry

“Counterincentive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterincentive. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

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