Standard Lemma guide

incent

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ɪnˈsɛnt/
  • rhymes with -ɛnt

1

verb

Meaning 1

To provide an incentive to (a person or organization).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: US, transitive

Examples

  • We need to incent people to innovate more.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To provide an incentive for (something).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: US, transitive

Examples

  • We need to incent more innovation.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Back-formation from incentive. Clipping of incentivize

Across languages

Translations

9 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Czech: motivovat — to provide an incentive to (a person or organization)
  • Czech: stimulovat — to provide an incentive to (a person or organization)
  • Czech: poskytnout pobídku — to provide an incentive to (a person or organization)
  • German: Anreize schaffen — to provide an incentive to (a person or organization)
  • Russian: стимули́ровать (stimulírovatʹ) — to provide an incentive to (a person or organization)
  • Russian: побужда́ть (pobuždátʹ) — to provide an incentive to (a person or organization)
  • Russian: побуди́ть (pobudítʹ) — to provide an incentive to (a person or organization)
  • Russian: поощря́ть (pooščrjátʹ) — to provide an incentive to (a person or organization)
  • Russian: поощри́ть (pooščrítʹ) — to provide an incentive to (a person or organization)