disincentivize
Make less appealing
To disincentivize is to discourage a behavior by making it less attractive or rewarding—the opposite of incentivize.
Governments disincentivize smoking through taxes; companies disincentivize tardiness through penalties.
The new policy disincentivizes risk-taking.
Some find the word bureaucratic and prefer "discourage."
Reduce someone's eagerness
- disheartenCause to lose hope
- demoralizeDestroy confidence or resolve
- dispiritCause to lose hope
- dampenWet slightly or diminish
discourage · chill · cool · put off · turn off · undermine · sap · depress
Convince not to
- discourageDiminish someone's confidence
- deterPrevent through intimidation
- preventStop in advance
- inhibitTo restrain or hinder
thwart · preclude · forestall · avert · block · stymie · curb · restrain
Acceptable in quality
- sanctionApproval or punitive measure
- penaltyPunishment for wrongdoing
- tariffTax on traded goods
- surchargeExtra fee added
levy · fee · tax · charge · forfeiture · punishment · consequence · cost
Official rules governing conduct
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- tax policyRevenue collection framework
- carbon taxLevy on fuel combustion
- sin taxFee on harmful goods
zoning · mandate · restriction · quota · cap · ban · prohibition · licensing
demotivate
Reduce someone's eagerness
- disheartenCause to lose hope
- demoralizeDestroy confidence or resolve
- dispiritCause to lose hope
dampen · discourage · chill · cool · put off · turn off · undermine · sap · depress · disenchant
dissuade
Convince not to
- discourageDiminish someone's confidence
- deterPrevent through intimidation
- preventStop in advance
inhibit · thwart · preclude · forestall · avert · block · stymie · curb · restrain · suppress
fine
Acceptable in quality
surcharge · levy · fee · tax · charge · forfeiture · punishment · consequence · cost · burden
regulation
Official rules governing conduct
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- tax policyRevenue collection framework
- carbon taxLevy on fuel combustion
sin tax · zoning · mandate · restriction · quota · cap · ban · prohibition · licensing · permitting