incentivize

verb

in·​cen·​tiv·​ize in-ˈsen-tə-ˌvīz 

incentivized; incentivizing

transitive verb

: to provide with an incentive

would incentivize employees with stock options

Examples of incentivize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In South Africa, legislation in the early two-thousands codified a program called Black Economic Empowerment, which, among other initiatives, incentivizes employers to hire Black South Africans; a more recent law allows the government to expropriate private land, sometimes without compensation. —Boyce Upholt, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026

On the carrot side, bosses are incentivizing workers to adopt and experiment with AI by handing out cash bonuses and awarding merch to those who comply. —Claire Zillman, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2026

And to incentivize enrollment, employers can offer sign-up bonuses or match ESA contributions. —Brian Sloan,dan Avery, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2026

The only way to de-incentivize losing is giving every team the same lottery odds every year. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

incentive + -ize

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for incentivize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize