incentive

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun incentive contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of incentive are goad, impulse, inducement, motive, and spur. While all these words mean "a stimulus to action," incentive applies to an external influence (such as an expected reward) inciting to action.

a bonus was offered as an incentive

When would goad be a good substitute for incentive?

The synonyms goad and incentive are sometimes interchangeable, but goad suggests a motive that keeps one going against one's will or desire.

thought insecurity a goad to worker efficiency

When could impulse be used to replace incentive?

While in some cases nearly identical to incentive, impulse suggests a driving power arising from personal temperament or constitution.

buying on impulse

When can inducement be used instead of incentive?

The meanings of inducement and incentive largely overlap; however, inducement suggests a motive prompted by the deliberate enticements or allurements of another.

offered a watch as an inducement to subscribe

When might motive be a better fit than incentive?

The words motive and incentive can be used in similar contexts, but motive implies an emotion or desire operating on the will and causing it to act.

a motive for the crime

When is it sensible to use spur instead of incentive?

While the synonyms spur and incentive are close in meaning, spur applies to a motive that stimulates the faculties or increases energy or ardor.

fear was a spur to action

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of incentive And joining other regions that allow unscripted productions to get incentives, reality TV shows with budgets of at least $1 million will get 10 percent of qualified costs back. Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 23 June 2025 But in Texas, incentives still come with a critique. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 23 June 2025 Martin: If the Democrats have no recourse here, what incentive does the administration have to consult with them in the future? Obed Manuel, NPR, 23 June 2025 Iran uses the strait to transport its own crude oil, mostly to China, and oil represents a major revenue source for the regime, creating economic incentives against closure. Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for incentive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incentive
Noun
  • Israel’s contention that Iran would soon be able to build a nuclear weapon was the impetus for the conflict, which began with Israel Defense Forces strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and against Iran’s military and nuclear program scientists on the night of June 12-13.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 24 June 2025
  • Tyler Grill said the festival has brought nearly 100,000 people in the city, which was the impetus for starting an annual festival in Bushnell Park.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 22 June 2025
Noun
  • While some commenters noted the mistake, many offered support and encouragement.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
  • However, Bird only came out in 2017, after the encouragement of Rapinoe.
    Grace Jordan-Weinstein, People.com, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • The next step is to win it, and that’s our motivation for next season.
    Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 21 June 2025
  • The suspect’s motivation for the shootings remains unclear.
    David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • State stimulus, on-demand infrastructure, affective consumption, and homegrown innovation are reshaping consumer expectations and fashion’s business logic.
    Li Jun, Footwear News, 28 June 2025
  • That could reduce the urgency for Beijing to step up stimulus at the upcoming Politburo meeting in July, Xing added.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Incentive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incentive. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on incentive

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