incentive

noun

in·​cen·​tive in-ˈsen-tiv 

: something that incites or has a tendency to incite to determination or action

incentive adjective

Synonyms of incentive

• impetus
• encouragement
• motivation
• stimulus

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 city of Fort Worth is considering a tax incentive deal for a Canadian electronics manufacturer looking to expand its North Texas footprint. —Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 2026

Data centers, once clustered around cities and towns, are moving into farm country in search of cheap land and tax incentives. —Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 28 Apr. 2026

Government should help build the market for safer alternatives to plastics through research grants, pilot projects, procurement standards, and tax incentives for packaging and food-service alternatives that are proven to be less toxic. —Justin Zorn, STAT, 28 Apr. 2026

The real estate investment trust acquired Quixote in 2022 for $360 million as production rebounded post-Covid with Atlanta one of the fastest-growing hubs due to generous incentives. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 28 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, "model, example, stimulus," borrowed from Late Latin incentīvum "incitement, enticement," noun derivative from neuter of incentīvus "inflaming, urging," going back to Latin, "(of the right-hand tube of a pair of double-reed pipes) playing the tune (which the other tube modulates)," from incentus, past participle of incinere "to play (on a musical instrument)" (from in- in- entry 2 + canere "to sing, play (on an instrument)") + -īvus -ive — more at chant entry 1

Note: In Late Latin, the adjective incentīvus was apparently influenced in sense by Latin incendere "to set on fire, inflame, incite" (past participle incensus) and its derivatives—see incense entry 1.

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