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.

"In recognizing these species, we recognize how quickly they are becoming lost as extrinsic barriers are breached by human activities."

From Science Daily • Mar. 23, 2026

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

For many musicians, the motivation to perform is intrinsic rather than extrinsic.

From Salon • Jan. 16, 2023

It would certainly be more satisfactory to know the precise grounds, whether extrinsic or intrinsic, on which the date has been fixed.

From Notes and Queries, Vol. IV, Number 113, December 27, 1851 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc. by Various