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 What kind of incentive is there going to be for anybody to have a good idea, to work hard, to strive? Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025 However, analysts expect sales to drop off in the coming months without the incentive. Mrinmay Dey, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025 The incentive of pay for grandparent caregivers could also help overcome the proximity challenge for some families, just as the promise of work in a faraway place has long been a motivation for people to move. Marina Lopes, The Atlantic, 6 Oct. 2025 Su said that the ownership arrangement aligns the incentives of both companies. Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for incentive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incentive
Noun
  • The impetus for Redeux Style was to teach people how to create beautiful moments in their lives to be more sustainable.
    Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2025
  • There was enough of an impetus, there was enough energy there.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The recent sighting provided encouragement to conservationists.
    Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Redd offered encouragement and resources, including money for a hotel room.
    Essence, Essence, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • No throwback footage was needed as motivation on Sunday; only clips of their opponent.
    Ben Pickman, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • And so that was the real motivation.
    Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • To him, animal behavior was largely based on stimulus and response.
    Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The receptors in your hands respond to myriad stimuli-like pressures—vibrations in sync with 15 different families of neurons.
    Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Incentive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incentive. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on incentive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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