something that incites or tends to incite to action or greater effort, as a reward offered for increased productivity.

inciting, as to action; stimulating; provocative.

noun

block , hindrance , turn-off

noun

allurement , bait , carrot * , catalyst , come-on * , consideration , determinant , drive , encouragement , enticement , excuse , exhortation , goad , ground , impetus , impulse , incitement , influence , insistence , inspiration , instigation , motivation , motive , persuasion , provocation , purpose , rationale , reason , reason why , spring , spur , stimulant , stimulation , stimulus , temptation , urge , whipnotes:the temporal orientation of incentive is toward the future; that of inducement is toward the past , fillip , inducement , prod , push , stimulator , attraction , carrot , incitation , inducementprovocation , lure , spark