**Word of the Day: Incentive**
*By Simran Jeet | Sep 21, 2025, 05:15 PM*
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**What’s the story?**
The word **”incentive”** (noun) refers to something that motivates or encourages a person to take action. It can be a reward, benefit, or reason that pushes someone to work harder, achieve a goal, or make a choice. Essentially, an “incentive” gives people a boost to move forward.
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**Origin**
The origin of the word *incentive* comes from the Latin word *incentivus*, meaning “something that sets the tune” or “stimulates.” It entered the English language in the 15th century to describe things that inspire or drive action. Today, the term is commonly used to refer to rewards, benefits, or reasons that motivate behavior.
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**Synonyms**
Some common synonyms for “incentive” include:
– Motivation
– Encouragement
– Stimulus
– Reason
– Reward
– Inducement
– Boost
These words all describe what pushes people to act or achieve something.
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**Usage Examples**
Here are a few sentences showing how to use “incentive” in different contexts:
– “The company offered a bonus as an *incentive* for hard work.”
– “Good grades are an *incentive* for students to study diligently.”
– “The discount served as an *incentive* to buy more products.”
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**Why use the word?**
Using “incentive” helps clearly explain what drives people to act, whether through rewards, benefits, or encouragement. The word effectively captures motivation in business, education, or everyday life. Whether you’re writing about goals, performance, or choices, “incentive” highlights the push behind action.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/lifestyle/word-of-the-day-incentive/story
