incentive
noun
Synonyms
- boost
- encouragement
- goad
- impetus
- impulse
- incitation
- incitement
- instigation
- momentum
- motivation
- provocation
- spur
- stimulant
- stimulus
- yeast
Example Sentences
Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Sep. 2022 Officials in Morrow County own Amazon’s local fiber provider, which critics say creates a conflict between the officials’ public role to negotiate the best deal for the community and a private incentive to encourage the company’s further expansion. oregonlive, 8 Sep. 2022 The airline’s expansion comes with a $1.3 million economic development incentive from the state. Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 7 Sep. 2022 What stock option or equity incentive plan does the company have? Caroline Castrillon, Forbes, 14 Aug. 2022 Last year, California approved a $150 million incentive plan to encourage construction of new soundstage facilities in the state. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 14 June 2022 The company is building a $12 billion chip factory in Arizona and expects to receive support from a $50 billion chip-manufacturing incentive plan that Congress is weighing. Keith Zhai, WSJ, 19 May 2022 Stearns said Hartford HealthCare eventually extended the incentive to housekeepers in April, nearly two months later. Katy Golvala, Hartford Courant, 4 Sep. 2022 For years, the airport has urged local travelers to fly out of their home airport with the incentive of possible lower fares and more connections in the future. Paul Gattis | Pgattis@al.com, al, 2 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Middle English, from Late Latin incentivum, from neuter of incentivus stimulating, from Latin, setting the tune, from incentus, past participle of incinere to play (a tune), from in- + canere to sing — more at chant
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing incentive
Kids Definition
incentive
noun
incentive
noun
Synonyms & Similar Words
- impetus
- encouragement
- motivation
- stimulus
- boost
- momentum
- impulse
- spur
- reason
- stimulant
- inducement
- catalyst
- goad
- fuel
- provocation
- motive
- incitement
- yeast
- cause
- instigation
- consideration
- incitation
- invitation
- shot in the arm
- spark
- grounds
- antecedent
- occasion
- catalyzer
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- disincentive
- counterincentive
Synonym Chooser
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.
The synonyms goad and incentive are sometimes interchangeable, but goad suggests a motive that keeps one going against one's will or desire.
While in some cases nearly identical to incentive, impulse suggests a driving power arising from personal temperament or constitution.
The meanings of inducement and incentive largely overlap; however, inducement suggests a motive prompted by the deliberate enticements or allurements of another.
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.
While the synonyms spur and incentive are close in meaning, spur applies to a motive that stimulates the faculties or increases energy or ardor.