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
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.
Simplify taxes and benefits to reduce unintended disincentives (as when a small increase in wages triggers a big loss of income). Clive Crook, Twin Cities, 21 Aug. 2025 Creating incentives for stable two-parent families and disincentives for single-parent families will require some political courage, the lack of which is profoundly salient in Maryland. Ellen Sauerbrey, Baltimore Sun, 18 Aug. 2025 This creates artificial incentives and disincentives that seem random at best. Martin Shenkman, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025 In short, copyright law might create a strong disincentive for companies to release open-weight models. ArsTechnica, 20 June 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 9 Sep. 2025.

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