extrinsic meaning and examples

2025-08-24

Meaning

Extrinsic means coming from outside rather than from within something.
It often refers to external factors, motives, or influences that are not inherent or essential.

Part of speech: adjective
Used to describe qualities, reasons, or factors that are external rather than internal.
Common structure:
- "extrinsic motivation" (motivation driven by rewards or outside pressures)
- "extrinsic factors" (external influences affecting a situation)

Extrinsic motivation – doing something for external rewards (money, praise) rather than personal satisfaction.
Extrinsic factors – external conditions that influence an outcome.
Extrinsic value – value assigned from outside rather than from the object itself.

Extrinsic + noun
- extrinsic factor
- extrinsic influence
- extrinsic reward
- extrinsic motivation
- extrinsic evidence
Verb + extrinsic
- depend on extrinsic
- influenced by extrinsic

His interest in the project was driven by extrinsic rewards like bonuses.
The success of the business depends on several extrinsic factors such as market demand.
She was motivated by extrinsic recognition rather than personal fulfillment.
The judge dismissed the evidence as extrinsic to the case.
Students often work harder when given extrinsic incentives like prizes.
Health can be affected by extrinsic influences such as pollution.
His decision seemed shaped more by extrinsic pressure than inner conviction.