disincentivize

[ dis-in-sen-ti-vahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, dis·in·cen·tiv·ized, dis·in·cen·tiv·iz·ing.

1. to discourage or deter by removing incentives: More affordable cholesterol-lowering medication may disincentivize people from adopting a vegetarian diet.

   The expiration of tax credits will disincentivize future participation in the energy-efficiency program.

   More affordable cholesterol-lowering medication may disincentivize people from adopting a vegetarian diet.

Word History and Origins

Origin of disincentivize¹

First recorded in 1985–90; dis- ¹( def ) + incentivize ( def )

Example Sentences

These changes do not change the bulk of a building but could very well disincentivize desired architectural enhancements, such as balconies and courtyards.

From Washington Blade

If it is instead dropped off in Duval, Smith said, there’s a substantial financial penalty — disincentivizing efforts to register more voters and, therefore, probably limiting how many people vote.

From Washington Post

The threat of massive damages for spreading probably false conspiracy theories on matters of public concern could turn out to be the one tool that is successful in disincentivizing that behavior, where so many other tools seem to have failed.

From Washington Post

However, the TV networks are putting such a premium on their streaming inventory that it is disincentivizing some advertisers from making the moves to be more flexible with where their ads appear.

From Digiday

In a bitter twist, however, one setting where spacing would be especially beneficial — school — is usually set up in a way that disincentivizes it.

From Washington Post