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 First, both sides have strong incentives to reach a deal. —Trita Parsi, Time, 11 Apr. 2025 The 2024 law helped more Marylanders upgrade to clean, efficient electric appliances, and especially assisted low-income households in taking advantage of state and federal incentives to upgrade their homes with efficient electric equipment. —Anne Havemann, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2025 Thus, teams have always had incentives to keep elite talent in the minors for a couple of weeks to delay free agency and gain a year of control. —Chad Jennings, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025 In East Hartford, three sets of developers planning ambitious housing initiative are also relying on tax incentives or other state and local aid to make their financial plans work out. —Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for incentive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incentive
  1. impetus
  2. encouragement
  3. motivation
  4. stimulus
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
Definition of impetus
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
Definition of encouragement
Noun
  • In the gripping Prime Video action-thriller G20, family becomes both motivation and lifeline amid political mayhem.
    — Okla Jones, Essence, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Now, both sides of the trade have sincere motivation here.
    — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of motivation
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
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 25 Apr. 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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