sweetener
/ˈswiːt(ə)nər/
Definition
A concession, financial incentive, or benefit offered to make a proposal or agreement more attractive to those who are otherwise hesitant or resistant.
Etymology
Derived from the verb 'sweeten' (from Old English 'swēte'), the term evolved to include the metaphorical sense of making something palatable. It entered common usage in business and politics during the 20th century to describe inducements that make a deal more appealing.
In the news
In this article, the term refers to extra financial subsidies and incentives offered by the EU Commission to convince skeptical member states to accept new, potentially unpopular climate policies. It highlights how political deals are often sweetened with funding to ensure agreement.
Brussels pushes net-zero industry deadline back to mid-century
Read the full article ↗euractiv.com