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.
One solution to this slow cat-and-mouse game might be to incentivize investors to cap the wells, even if they were never involved with them in the past. — Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026 Another worry Gupta has is that the rent freeze will incentivize landlords to leave units vacant. — James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026 And the clubs redesign the jerseys every year — as opposed to every couple of years, the norm a few decades ago — increasingly incentivizing fans to buy a new jersey every season. — Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 28 June 2026 The measure could incentivize lawmakers to save more money because funds tucked away in the rainy day fund would no longer be considered expenditures counted toward the spending limit. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 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 7 Jul. 2026.

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