incentive

noun

in-ˈsen-tiv How to pronounce incentive (audio)
Definition of incentivenext
as in impetus
something that arouses action or activity the handsome reward for the missing dog was an incentive for me to start looking

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Transit development districts around train stations provide incentives to developers for redevelopment projects. —Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025 Is there an incentive to back stand-alone stories that are no longer safe bets? —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 12 June 2025 The Biden administration sought to encourage manufacturers to build in the United States, but those efforts are still in their early stages, and many of the government incentives are now on the chopping block. —Dan Gearino, Wired News, 31 May 2025 With a tiny sliver of activist voters holding the same power to deny a candidate an office as a majority of the broad general electorate, the incentives for bipartisanship have all but disappeared in most states and districts. —Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for incentive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incentive
  1. impetus
  2. encouragement
  3. motivation
  4. stimulus
Noun
  • The church declined an interview and did not respond to specific questions about the impetus for the change.
    — Lauren Jackson, New York Times, 29 May 2025
  • The immigration issue was Worsley’s impetus to enter politics.
    — Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 15 May 2025
Definition of impetus
Noun
  • While this is good news, student loan borrowers should remember this drop shouldn't be taken as encouragement to acquire more student debt at lower rates.
    — Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
  • Kelly had posted several photos on social media while inside the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, as insurrectionists injured police officers and destroyed Capitol property with prior encouragement from President Donald Trump at a rally.
    — Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2025
Definition of encouragement
Noun
  • That should matter to leaders, because real connection drives motivation, creativity, and well-being.
    — Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • But the vice president’s remarks also underscore the political motivations behind Saturday’s action.
    — Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
Definition of motivation
Noun
  • The 2021 Biden stimulus bill provided additional financial incentives to the holdout states.
    — The Editors, National Review, 5 June 2025
  • Consider stimulus like background noise, scent from air fresheners and perfumes, family members all calling the puppy at once etc.
    — Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
Definition of stimulus

Browse Nearby Words

incensing
incentive
incentives
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Incentive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incentive. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on incentive

Nglish: Translation of incentive for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about incentive

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