incentive

noun

in·​cen·​tive in-ˈsen-tiv How to pronounce incentive (audio)
Synonyms of incentive
: something that incites or has a tendency to incite to determination or action
incentive adjective

Synonyms of incentive

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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.
Investors are also betting on a future DeepSeek listing in the mainland, said Wayne Shiong, managing partner at Argo Venture Partners, as the startup risks an exodus of senior engineers without financial incentives to stay. — Anniek Bao,elaine Yu, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026 Instead, the law provides the city with an incentive to dangle before the team. — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026 Pritzker’s pause on data-center tax incentives is not meant to be permanent, and his initial instinct was right. — David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 The project has since woven through City Hall and local economic development agencies, including securing incentives through the City Council and Port KC. — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for incentive

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, "model, example, stimulus," borrowed from Late Latin incentīvum "incitement, enticement," noun derivative from neuter of incentīvus "inflaming, urging," going back to Latin, "(of the right-hand tube of a pair of double-reed pipes) playing the tune (which the other tube modulates)," from incentus, past participle of incinere "to play (on a musical instrument)" (from in- in- entry 2 + canere "to sing, play (on an instrument)") + -īvus -ive — more at chant entry 1

Note: In Late Latin, the adjective incentīvus was apparently influenced in sense by Latin incendere "to set on fire, inflame, incite" (past participle incensus) and its derivatives—see incense entry 1.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Phrases Containing incentive

Rhymes for incentive

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Browse Nearby Words

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incentive wage
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Cite this Entry

“Incentive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incentive. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

incentive

noun
in·​cen·​tive in-ˈsent-iv How to pronounce incentive (audio)
: something that makes a person try or work hard or harder

More from Merriam-Webster on incentive

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about incentive

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