Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

extrinsic

[ik-strin-sik, -zik] / ɪkˈstrɪn sɪk, -zɪk /


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

She doesn’t like systems of demerits where students behave well only because of extrinsic rewards.

From The Wall Street Journal May 12, 2026

"In recognizing these species, we recognize how quickly they are becoming lost as extrinsic barriers are breached by human activities."

From Science Daily Mar. 23, 2026

I couldn’t relate to whatever it was that pulled people back into the gloomy casinos over and over again, or what compelled them to place bets on games of little extrinsic consequence.

From Slate Feb. 24, 2024

They may simply be motivated to make you stop pestering them — in other words, their motivation is extrinsic, which tends not to last.

From Seattle Times Jan. 15, 2024

Classifying these causes of fallacious belief somewhat differently, we may say that two are intrinsic and two are extrinsic.

From How We Think by Dewey, John




Vocabulary lists containing extrinsic


Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training