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 In both cases, they were drawn to these locations for their incentives. —Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 17 July 2025 With less than a month to prepare, there’s more incentive to start now. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2025 Jamie Moraga, Franklin Revere YES: California already reduced rooftop solar incentives, causing demand to drop and some solar companies to close or go bankrupt. —Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 July 2025 Companies can offer discounts or incentives to customers to try to entice them to buy trips or vacations. —Corina Vanek, AZCentral.com, 7 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for incentive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incentive
  1. impetus
  2. encouragement
  3. motivation
  4. stimulus
Noun
  • This served as a mighty impetus to spur the Space Race.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
  • No company ever got into business to lose money, but with mergers like the impending one between Paramount and Skydance, a media company, which was the clear impetus for the settlement with Trump, the bottom line has never been more important.
    — Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 18 July 2025
Definition of impetus
Noun
  • Axios reported last month that Trump stopped short of endorsing Rogers during a February dinner at Mar-a-Lago with Republican senators, but offered encouragement.
    — M.L. Elrick, Freep.com, 23 July 2025
  • Others shared words of encouragement and admiration for Savage.
    — Colson Thayer, People.com, 22 July 2025
Definition of encouragement
Noun
  • Being direct with people earns their respect faster than any lecture about motivation.
    — Marek Niedzwiedz, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • Numerous questions remain about the shooting, including Crooks’ motivation.
    — Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 13 July 2025
Definition of motivation
Noun
  • To put it into perspective, the two 2020 and one 2021 stimulus checks issued to Americans from the stimulus package totaled around $931 billion in financial relief via the stimulus checks, according to reports from the Government Accountability Office in 2022.
    — Joyce Orlando, Nashville Tennessean, 25 July 2025
  • The big story China’s economy requires more than short-term stimulus, even as deflationary pressures intensify.
    — Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 23 July 2025
Definition of stimulus

Browse Nearby Words

incensing
incentive
incentives
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Cite this Entry

“Incentive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incentive. Accessed 29 Jul. 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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