disincentive

[dis-in-sen-tiv]

See more synonyms for disincentive on Thesaurus.com

noun

something that discourages or deters; deterrent: High interest rates and government regulations are disincentives to investment.

Show More

Origin of disincentive

First recorded in 1945–50; dis-¹ + incentive

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

restriction hardship obstruction handicap bump interference snag difficulty hurdle hindrance hitch disincentive obstacle interruption traverse clog encumbrance mountain rub hang-up

Examples from the Web for disincentive

Contemporary Examples

He thinks leaving large sums to children is a disincentive for them to go out and do great things on their own.
Patriotic Philanthropy: Not an Oxymoron
Eleanor Clift
November 27, 2014
First and foremost, Israel has the disincentive of advantage.
No, the Two-State Solution Isn't Dead Yet—But You're Asking the Wrong Question
Robert Blecher
May 31, 2012
It creates a disincentive for employers to hire people who may need government assistance to afford insurance.
The Health-Care Gender Gap
Dana Goldstein
October 21, 2009
Iran knows this, and that is itself a disincentive for them to proceed.
How to Keep Iran in Check Without War
Gary Sick
September 23, 2009
This provides a disincentive for people to know their HIV status.
Should People Who Spread HIV Go to Jail?
Regan Hofmann
May 7, 2009

British Dictionary definitions for disincentive

disincentive

noun

something that acts as a deterrent

Show More

adjective

acting as a deterrenta disincentive effect on productivity

Show More

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for disincentive

n.

1946; see dis- + incentive (n.).

Show More

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper