incentives

NOUN

lure, inducement

Synonyms

STRONGEST

encouragement enticement impetus motivation reason stimulus

STRONG

allurement bait carrot catalyst come-on consideration determinant drive excuse exhortation goad ground impulse incitement influence insistence inspiration instigation motive persuasion provocation purpose rationale spring spur stimulant stimulation temptation urge whip

WEAK

reason why

Antonyms

STRONGEST

discouragement hindrance

STRONG

deterrent dislike prevention

WEAK

block turn-off

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.

Scientists and scholars are susceptible to career incentives, moral fads, groupthink and fear.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

That requires better preparation, stronger incentives and professional recognition.

From MarketWatch • May 27, 2026

The Trump administration and a bipartisan coalition in Congress are pushing tax incentives and new revenue streams to spark U.S. maritime investment.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026

In remarks following the presentation of the encyclical, Olah said that every AI lab including his operated "inside a set of incentives and constraints that can sometimes conflict with doing the right thing".

From BBC • May 25, 2026

Because criminals respond to incentives as readily as anyone, the result was a surge in crime.

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt