**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 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 as a term to describe things that inspire or drive action. Today, it’s commonly used to refer to rewards, benefits, or reasons that motivate behavior.
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### Synonyms for “Incentive”
Some common synonyms include:
– Motivation
– Encouragement
– Stimulus
– Reason
– Reward
– Inducement
– Boost
These words similarly describe what pushes people to act or achieve something.
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### Usage Examples
Here are a few sentences to illustrate 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 “Incentive”?
Using “incentive” helps explain what drives people to take action, whether through rewards, benefits, or encouragement. It’s a clear way to express motivation in business, education, or everyday life.
Whether writing about goals, performance, or choices, “incentive” effectively captures the push behind action.
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