incentive Hear it!

incentive Definition

in·cen·tive (in sent′iv)

adjective

stimulating one to take action, work harder, etc.; encouraging; motivating

Etymology: ME < LL incentivum < neut. pp. of L incinere, to sing < in-, in, on + canere, to sing: see chant

noun

something that stimulates one to take action, work harder, etc.; stimulus; encouragement
incentive Synonyms

incentive

n.

spur, inducement, motivation, motive, stimulus, stimulation, spring, impetus, catalyst, ground, provocation, enticement, temptation, bait, consideration, determinant, excuse, rationale, goad, prod, whip, urge, impulse, influence, lure, come-on*, allurement, persuasion*, inspiration*, exhortation*, encouragement*, instigation*, incitement*, reason why, carrot*; see also impulse 1, purpose 1, reason 3.

incentive Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • provide: The freedoms they offer provide a new incentive for all to improve.
  • introduce: Are there other ways of introducing incentives to use a conditional fee, rather than legal aid, whenever possible?
  • offer: Should you offer incentives to get people to respond?
  • remove: It would be wrong, therefore to remove the price incentive to quit smoking.
  • create: Such reform would create the incentives for services to improve dynamically.
  • distort: The indirect costs refer to lost wealth caused by the tax system distorting incentives to work, save and invest.

Preposition: for

  • householder: Introduce tax breaks, grants and other incentives for householders to install micro-generation systems.

Adjective modifier

  • perverse: There are perverse benefits incentives -- paying more the longer people claim.
  • added: Mr Golden has an added incentive to ensure the works are finished on time.
  • fiscal: Aim: Fiscal incentives Better fiscal incentives to use motorcycles.
  • financial: Exercise in natural green areas should be rewarded with financial incentives.
  • market-based: Wine drinkers who quot the other hits than boxers of market-based incentives.
  • generous: Film tax Final details of the generous new film tax incentives announced in the Pre-Budget Report are published today.

Modifies a noun

  • scheme: Lakeside has launched a brand new incentive scheme for coach drivers.
  • payment: It cut the incentive payments for bringing in stories.

Noun used with modifier

  • tax: Film industry tax incentive will be extended to 2005 at a cost of £ 50 million in 2002.
  • savings: The government's record on savings incentives is anyway dire.
  • cash: SPECIAL PROMOTIONS From time to time 3 may promote cash bonus incentive programs.
  • cashback: The positive work of two terms of government initiating grading for carbon emissions and providing cashback incentives for environmentally friendly motors will be futile.
  • agri-environment: Both bogs and fens can benefit from carefully targeted and designed agri-environment incentives.
incentive Quotes

The Europeans have scarcely visited any coast, but to gratify avarice, and extend corruption; to arrogate dominion without right, and practice cruelty without incentive† But there isreason to hope†that the light of the gospel will at last illuminate the sands of Africa, and the deserts of America, though its progress cannot but be slow when it is so much obstructed by the lives of Christians.

—Johnson, Samuel known as Dr Johnson