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 In other words, the additional $10.8 million was a margin of error for Centene’s calculations — and an incentive for Florida not to do its own analysis to see if the company was accurate. Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2025 Other states offer their own state tax incentives to small business owners, resulting in millions of dollars in state tax avoidance for up to 10 years. Cindy McGhee, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025 President Donald Trump is moving to undo many Biden-era regulations on diesel truck emissions and incentives meant to encourage an EV transition, and his tariff policies are likely to depress the freight industry. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025 Congress passed the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which created new incentives to deploy wind and solar power. Umair Irfan, Vox, 23 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for incentive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incentive
Noun
  • Yet it must be acknowledged that the impetus for the freezing of federal dollars for certain universities was a crisis for Jewish students, caused by the failure of college administrators to counter antisemitism and the harassment of Jews on campus.
    Christian Schneider, National Review, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Likewise, the impetus may be the same for McDonald’s customers.
    BYAlex Ledsom, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Katherine, an avid reader who loves James Joyce and modern poetry, tries her hand at screenwriting, with Fred’s encouragement.
    Mark Athitakis, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Not only this, his friends also came to his defense, offering words of encouragement.
    Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Strategic and critical thinking are valuable no matter the level of seniority, as is empathy, as marketing is all about connecting with an audience by understanding their needs and motivations.
    Christine Pilkington, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Walking with others can also promote a sense of camaraderie, along with accountability, encouragement, and motivation to stick with a walking routine.14 8.
    Cathy Nelson, Verywell Health, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Conscious perception is the ability of human beings to become aware of the stimuli received by their senses.
    Jorge Garay, Wired News, 19 Apr. 2025
  • This micro-moment creates space between stimulus and response, where emotional intelligence flourishes.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Incentive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incentive. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on incentive

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