disincentivize

American  

[dis-in-sen-ti-vahyz] / ˌdɪs ɪnˈsɛn tɪˌvaɪz /

verb (used with object)

disincentivized, disincentivizing

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.

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Etymology

Origin of disincentivize

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

Example Sentences

Alan Greenspan, then-chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, argued for increasing the gas tax to as high as 30 cents a gallon—which would be roughly $2 in today’s dollars—to disincentivize gas consumption.

From Barron's • May 12, 2026

The league made it harder for the worst teams to secure the best prospects in a bid to disincentivize teams from copying the Sabres’ dismal playbook.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

Many also endorsed proposals to disincentivize private investment firms from buying up homes as well as a $25-billion bond proposed by former Sen. Bob Hertzberg to help first-time homebuyers afford a down payment.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 5, 2026

"Betting markets incentivize being right and disincentivize being wrong. If you're right you make money, if you're wrong you lose money," said Crane, the Rutgers professor.

From Salon • Dec. 3, 2024

“These bans disincentivize the far safer product and move people back to a product that’s going to kill one in two of them,” Douglas says.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 1, 2024