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

The Trump administration is also working to undo incentives around clean energy, particularly the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. —Umair Irfan, Wired News, 26 Apr. 2025

Slate Auto There’s also the issue of federal incentives. —Abigail Bassett, ArsTechnica, 25 Apr. 2025

Other countries that have tried similar monetary incentives have had mixed success. —Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 25 Apr. 2025

In addition to reversing its open-door policy, Starbucks also announced on Jan. 27 that customers who have their first drink in the lobby can get free refills on hot or iced brewed coffee or tea, a potential incentive for customers to stick around while enjoying their beverage. —Saleen Martin, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for incentive

• agentive
• attentive
• inventive
• preventive
• retentive
• disincentive
• inattentive

Kids Definition

incentive

noun

in·​cen·​tive in-ˈsent-iv 

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