incentive — English Dictionary

Noun

1. Something that motivates, rouses, or encourages.

   Synonyms

   carrot

   Examples

   I have no incentive to do housework right now.

   More examples (1)

   It is tempting to speculate about the incentives or compulsions that might explain why anyone would take to the skies in [the] basket [of a balloon]: perhaps out of a desire to escape the gravity of this world or to get a preview of the next; […].

2. A bonus or reward, often monetary, to work harder.

   Examples

   Management offered the sales team a $500 incentive for each car sold.

Adjective

1. Inciting; encouraging or moving; rousing to action; stimulating.

   Examples

   Competency is of all other proportions the most incentive to industry.

2. Serving to kindle or set on fire.

   Examples

   Part incentive reed / Provide, pernicious with one touch of fire.

Noun

1. a positive motivational influence

   Synonyms

   inducementmotivator

   Antonyms

   disincentive

   Broader terms

   rational motive

2. an additional payment (or other remuneration) to employees as a means of increasing output

   Synonyms

   bonus

   Broader terms

   payment