: something that incites or has a tendency to incite to determination or action
incentive adjective
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While much of the Republican tax agenda involves continuing measures the party passed in 2017, Mr. Trump and other Republicans have floated additional ideas, including no taxes on tips and new incentives for corporations to manufacture in the United States. Andrew Duehren, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025 Turning policy into progress is never straightforward, but these diverse approaches show that substantial advancements are achievable when guided by clear targets, market incentives, and supportive legislation. Angelica Krystle Donati, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025 Overall sales are down 1.7 percent this year after European governments withdrew a number of subsidies and incentives. Jessica Bateman, WIRED, 7 Jan. 2025 Bad Bunny critiques the pro-statehood party for prioritizing foreign investments and tax incentives at the expense of local communities. Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for incentive 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of incentive was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near incentive

Cite this Entry

“Incentive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incentive. Accessed 12 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

incentive

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

More from Merriam-Webster on incentive

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