Incentive — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /in-ˈsen-tiv/ in·cen·tive

Meaning & Definition of Incentive

Incentive (noun)

  1. something that incites or has a tendency to incite to determination or action

Incentive (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something that arouses action or activity

    "the handsome reward for the missing dog was an incentive for me to start looking"

    similar: boost, encouragement, goad, impetus, impulse, incitation, incitement, instigation, momentum, motivation, provocation, spur, stimulant, stimulus, yeast, shot in the arm
    related: inducement, invitation, antecedent, cause, consideration, grounds, motive, occasion, reason, catalyst, catalyzer, fuel, spark
    opposite: counterincentive, disincentive

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Incentive

The most common words with a similar meaning to Incentive:

boost, encouragement, goad, impetus, impulse, incitation, incitement, instigation, momentum, motivation, provocation, spur, stimulant, stimulus, yeast, shot in the arm

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Incentive

Words with the opposite meaning of Incentive:

counterincentive, disincentive

Related Words for Incentive

inducement, invitation, antecedent, cause, consideration, grounds, motive, occasion, reason, catalyst, catalyzer, fuel, spark

Word Forms of Incentive

Derived words: incentive (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Incentive

Middle English, "model, example, stimulus," borrowed from Late Latin incentīvum "incitement, enticement," noun derivative from neuter of incentīvus "inflaming, urging," going back to Latin, "(of the right-hand tube of a pair of double-reed pipes) playing the tune (which the other tube modulates)," from incentus, past participle of incinere "to play (on a musical instrument)" (from in- in-:2 + canere "to sing, play (on an instrument)") + -īvus -ive chant:1

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Incentive

Words & Phrases Containing Incentive

counterincentive

Frequently Asked Questions about Incentive

What does "Incentive" mean?

"Incentive" means something that incites or has a tendency to incite to determination or action. As a noun, it is defined as: something that incites or has a tendency to incite to determination or action.

What is another word for "Incentive"?

Other words for "Incentive" include boost, encouragement, goad, impetus, impulse, incitation, incitement and instigation. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Incentive" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Incentive"?

There are 29 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Incentive". Common alternatives include boost, encouragement, goad, impetus, impulse, incitation, incitement, instigation, momentum and motivation.

What is the opposite of "Incentive"?

Antonyms of "Incentive" include counterincentive and disincentive.

How do you use "Incentive" in a sentence?

Examples of "Incentive" in a sentence: "the handsome reward for the missing dog was an incentive for me to start looking".

Is "Incentive" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Incentive" is a noun.

Is "Incentive" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Incentive" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "Incentive"?

"Incentive" is pronounced /in-ˈsen-tiv/ and divided into syllables as in·cen·tive.