as in external
not being a vital part of or belonging to something
the fact that the ring belonged to your grandmother is extrinsic to its value to a jeweler
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Recent Examples of extrinsic
Those sensors detect the subtle vibrations that are transmitted to the extrinsic laryngeal muscles (in the neck) from other anatomical locations including the velum, oropharynx, tongue, and epiglottis.
—
Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 21 Feb. 2025
When Gamification Fails One of the most popular critiques of focusing on extrinsic rewards is that companies risk teaching employees to chase points, badges or lottery tickets rather than find meaning in the work itself.
—Par Chadha, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
That’s where the balance of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation comes in—gamification should enhance the inherent rewards of work rather than relying solely on badges, tokens and points.
—Par Chadha, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
This certainly hints at a deep and powerful form of motivation known as intrinsic motivation (doing something for a deep personal reason for example), as opposed to extrinsic motivation (in the sense of some short-term financial reward or external validation).
—Adrian Kelly, Big Think, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for extrinsic
Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 21 Feb. 2025
When Gamification Fails One of the most popular critiques of focusing on extrinsic rewards is that companies risk teaching employees to chase points, badges or lottery tickets rather than find meaning in the work itself.
—Par Chadha, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
That’s where the balance of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation comes in—gamification should enhance the inherent rewards of work rather than relying solely on badges, tokens and points.
—Par Chadha, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
This certainly hints at a deep and powerful form of motivation known as intrinsic motivation (doing something for a deep personal reason for example), as opposed to extrinsic motivation (in the sense of some short-term financial reward or external validation).
—Adrian Kelly, Big Think, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for extrinsic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extrinsic
Adjective
-
CIVs require unrelated investors and external managers—criteria typical hedge funds meet, but not personal or family trading entities.—
Robert Green,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
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With no predators, external threats or competitors, demodex mites have no selective pressures, Perotti explained.—
Kameryn Griesser,
CNN Money,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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If investors are now satisfied, the underlying legal structure is irrelevant.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
30 May 2025
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However, this elevated P/S ratio is mostly irrelevant since MSTR's valuation is fundamentally driven by its Bitcoin holdings rather than its traditional software revenue.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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Lauren Heller Since Sagittarians are willing to try anything once, the Fire sign resembles Lauren's adventitious persona.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
31 Mar. 2025
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The patchy and adventitious quality of Jameson’s reconstruction must make clear his difference as a thinker.—
Mark Greif,
Harper's Magazine,
26 July 2024
Adjective
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Dockers’ performance was also dragging down Levi’s results and Gass, who took the helm of the company a little over a year ago, has been working to cut off extraneous businesses to fuel growth and focus on direct selling.—
Gabrielle Fonrouge,
CNBC,
20 May 2025
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His ethos and spirit pulsates throughout the idyllic interior and garden galleries, whisking New Yorkers and visitors away from the frenzy of daily routine, reminding us that art is essential, not extraneous, to our existence and fortitude.—
Natasha Gural,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
Adjective
-
The coroner found that no foul play was involved, and that his death was accidental.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2025
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The accidental shooting unfolded on Wednesday inside an apartment in northeast D.C., located on 1700 block of Benning Road.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Extrinsic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extrinsic. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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