WordValeincentive
something that motivates action
a reward that motivates a desired behavior
In more detail
1. (noun) something that encourages or motivates someone to do something, such as a reward or benefit
2. (noun) an additional payment or advantage offered to encourage someone to buy something or work harder
Examples
- The company offered a cash incentive for employees who increased their sales.
- Tax incentives are sometimes used to encourage people to buy electric cars.
How to use incentive
Incentive is used in both professional and everyday contexts to describe something that makes someone want to act, especially a reward or advantage. It is neutral in tone and commonly appears in business, policy, and motivational discussions. While similar to motivation, incentive is more concrete and external, typically referring to specific rewards or benefits rather than internal drive.
Common phrases
- financial incentive
- tax incentive
- performance incentive
- provide an incentive
- lack of incentive
- incentive to do something
Synonyms
motivation · inducement · stimulus · encouragement · spur
Opposites
disincentive · discouragement
Word family
incentivize (verb) · incentivized (adjective)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse incentive with incitement; incentive encourages someone toward a positive action or result, while incitement can mean wrongly urging someone toward something harmful or illegal.
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