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

"For years, scientists have pursued the answer to a fundamental question about the carrier origin in this exotic insulator: Is it from the bulk or the surface, intrinsic or extrinsic?" said Chen.

From Science Daily Nov. 9, 2025

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

Sometimes, too, change is affirmed, by purely extrinsic denomination, of a thing in which there is no real change, but only a relation to some other really changing thing.

From Ontology or the Theory of Being by Coffey, Peter




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