disincentive

noun

dis·​in·​cen·​tive ˌdis-in-ˈsen-tiv How to pronounce disincentive (audio)

Examples of disincentive in a Sentence

We considered volunteering, but the complicated application process was a disincentive. The complicated application process was a disincentive to volunteering our time.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Because nuclear war would result in mutually assured destruction for both sides and conventional conflict could easily escalate to the nuclear level, the U.S. and Soviet governments had strong disincentives to fight each other. Roseanne McManus, Foreign Affairs, 24 Jan. 2025 Pet owners must pay for most of these steps, which can be a further disincentive. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2025 So while there are several loopholes for users to remain on TikTok, strong disincentives will likely lead to a steep decline in terms of platform experience. Andrew R. Chow, TIME, 15 Jan. 2025 But decisions such as reducing the compliance program budget; rolling back compliance clawbacks and other compensation disincentives and limiting employee incentives to report wrongdoing, should only be taken after careful consideration. Michael Peregrine, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disincentive

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of disincentive was in 1946

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Cite this Entry

“Disincentive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disincentive. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

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