incentivize

verb

in·​cen·​tiv·​ize in-ˈsen-tə-ˌvīz How to pronounce incentivize (audio)
incentivized; incentivizing

transitive verb

: to provide with an incentive
would incentivize employees with stock options

Examples of incentivize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Refiners, incentivized by the ability to make incredible profits due to the shortage, are producing as much fuel as possible even though normally this is the time of year operations slow for routine repairs. — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026 Despite a slowing economy and domestic labor-market pressures, China continues to subsidize and incentivize companies in Fujian to recruit young Taiwanese to work in the province. — Ningrong Liu, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026 Part of her effort is to incentivize more harvesting of the older, less desirable but more destructive urchins. — Victoria Malloy, Time, 21 Oct. 2026 Netflix, unlike most other media companies, strongly incentivizes its employees to take big chunks of their compensation in stock. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for incentivize

Word History

Etymology

incentive + -ize

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of incentivize was in 1960

Rhymes for incentivize

See All Rhymes for incentivize

Browse Nearby Words

incentivization
incentivize
incept
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Incentivize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incentivize. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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