✅  Agony is a more intense word than pain. It’s the perfect word to use when the physical or mental suffering you’re feeling is particularly extreme, it goes on for a long time, or both (I experienced the agony of a compound fracture; the agony of heartbreak)

✅  Pain is a more common, everyday word. Agony, when used in everyday speech, can be seen as dramatic (I was in agony after I stubbed my toe)

✅  Sometimes agony is also used as a synonym for struggle, especially in the context of a difficult decision (I was in agony over the decision to move out).

If you’re not in agony after all that, here are some more synonyms for pain!

✅  Incentive and inducement both refer to things that can motivate people. An incentive is often a kind of reward that’s offered in return for doing something. (I was promised a chocolate cake as an incentive to go to my grandmother’s house).

✅  Inducement is similar but even stronger, and usually suggests that someone is being convinced to do something rather than being motivated. (He received a pay raise as an inducement for accepting longer hours at work).

✅  An inducement can be a bit sinister sometimes. The word is usually used to imply that someone is being convinced to do something they wouldn’t otherwise do. (They knew their inducement would make him sign the contract).

✅  While you can use the two words interchangeably, it’s best to use incentive when someone is being encouraged to do something, and use inducement when the persuasion is more forceful.

Has this explanation induced you to do more research? Here are more synonyms for incentive...

✅  Honesty is the best policy, and it is the best word when you want to refer to the complete absence of deceit or fraud (We appreciate your honesty about the incident).

✅  Integrity is the best word to indicate the soundness of one’s morals, when nothing can influence them (By refusing the bribe, she maintained her personal and professional integrity).

✅  Often you will see honesty and integrity used together, as these qualities tend to go hand in hand (Great leadership requires self-awareness, honesty, and integrity).

In all honesty, there are more synonyms of integrity here!