incentive

noun

in·​cen·​tive in-ˈsen-tiv 

: something that incites or has a tendency to incite to determination or action

incentive adjective

Synonyms

• boost
• encouragement
• goad
• impetus
• impulse
• incitation
• incitement
• instigation
• momentum
• motivation
• provocation
• spur
• stimulant
• stimulus
• yeast

Choose the Right Synonym for incentive

motive, impulse, incentive, inducement, spur, goad mean a stimulus to action.

motive implies an emotion or desire operating on the will and causing it to act.

a motive for the crime

impulse suggests a driving power arising from personal temperament or constitution.

buying on impulse

incentive applies to an external influence (such as an expected reward) inciting to action.

a bonus was offered as an incentive

inducement suggests a motive prompted by the deliberate enticements or allurements of another.

offered a watch as an inducement to subscribe

spur applies to a motive that stimulates the faculties or increases energy or ardor.

fear was a spur to action

goad suggests a motive that keeps one going against one's will or desire.

thought insecurity a goad to worker efficiency

Examples of incentive in a Sentence

The rising cost of electricity provides a strong incentive to conserve energy.

The government offers special tax incentives for entrepreneurs.

The company is offering a special low price as an added incentive for new customers.

Recent Examples on the Web

New York State Housing Policy New York State’s housing policy, which was part of the state’s FY 2025 Budget, included the 467-m tax incentive to encourage office-to-residential conversions with an emphasis on creating affordable housing. —Shimon Shkury, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024

That same year, Spain launched shoot tax incentives and international productions began to explore the territory alongside new production service companies, discovering a rich diversity of locations. —Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 22 Oct. 2024

Just over half of his package is stock awards, and it’s bolstered by cash incentives atop a base salary of $1.5 million. —Zoe Jaeger and Eva Wen, Journal Sentinel, 21 Oct. 2024

Furthermore, dealers who possess or sell artifacts previously smuggled into the United States contrary to federal law may be required to forfeit them—a compelling incentive to investigate and verify an item’s provenance. —Patricia Failing, ARTnews.com, 21 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin incentivum, from neuter of incentivus stimulating, from Latin, setting the tune, from incentus, past participle of incinere to play (a tune), from in- + canere to sing — more at chant

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing incentive

• counter-incentive

Kids Definition

incentive

noun

in·​cen·​tive in-ˈsent-iv 

: something that makes a person try or work hard or harder