The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 10 letter word INDUCEMENT
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
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Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Incentive" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case incentive = inducement.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does INDUCEMENT mean?
INDUCEMENT noun- An incentive that helps bring about a desired state. In some contexts, this can imply bribery.
- An introductory statement of facts or background information.
- (shipping) The act of placing a port on a vessel's itinerary because the volume of cargo offered at that port justifies the cost of routing the vessel.