extrinsic

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She doesn’t like systems of demerits where students behave well only because of extrinsic rewards.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026

"For years, scientists have pursued the answer to a fundamental question about the carrier origin in this exotic insulator: Is it from the bulk or the surface, intrinsic or extrinsic?" said Chen.

From Science Daily • Nov. 9, 2025

I couldn’t relate to whatever it was that pulled people back into the gloomy casinos over and over again, or what compelled them to place bets on games of little extrinsic consequence.

From Slate • Feb. 24, 2024

They may simply be motivated to make you stop pestering them — in other words, their motivation is extrinsic, which tends not to last.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 15, 2024

If there was no extrinsic evidence to fix the authorship of the Dogood letters, their intrinsic characteristics, incipient as they are, would be enough to disclose the hand of Franklin.

From Benjamin Franklin; Self-Revealed, Volume II (of 2) A Biographical and Critical Study Based Mainly on his own Writings by Bruce, Wiliam Cabell