incentive

/in-ˈsen-tiv/

Middle English, from Late Latin incentivum, from neuter of incentivus stimulating, from Latin, setting the tune, from incentus, past participle of incinere to play (a tune), from in- + canere to sing

noun

  1. something that incites or has a tendency to incite to determination or action

motive impulse incentive inducement spur goad mean a stimulus to action. motive implies an emotion or desire operating on the will and causing it to act. impulse suggests a driving power arising from personal temperament or constitution.

noun

  1. something that discourages or tends to discourage a particular action : an incentive to avoid doing something

The company offered financial counterincentives to early retirement.