as in officeholder
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as in compulsory
forcing one's compliance or participation by or as if by law
it is incumbent upon you to attend every staff meeting
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of incumbent
Charlotte Observer, 2 Nov. 2025
An election next week in Wyandotte County will mirror former ones for sheriff, as Celisha Towers, a former sheriff's deputy, challenges incumbent Daniel Soptic for the seat.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 31 Oct. 2025
Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
In September, Suffolk's poll had Mamdani leading Cuomo by 20 points, or 45% to 25%, followed by Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa with 9%, and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams at 8%.
—Terry Collins, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incumbent
Noun
Long shot mayoral candidate Terrie Donovan outraised Democratic incumbent Vi Lyles by a wide margin, too.
—Charlotte Observer, 2 Nov. 2025
An election next week in Wyandotte County will mirror former ones for sheriff, as Celisha Towers, a former sheriff's deputy, challenges incumbent Daniel Soptic for the seat.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
He was endorsed by incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who dropped out of the running after lagging in polls and being indicted on corruption charges, which were later dismissed.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
In September, Suffolk's poll had Mamdani leading Cuomo by 20 points, or 45% to 25%, followed by Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa with 9%, and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams at 8%.
—Terry Collins, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incumbent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incumbent
Noun
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Their goal was to restore white dominance and undermine Reconstruction governments by targeting Black voters, officeholders, and communities.—
Josiah Bates,
Time,
14 Oct. 2025
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Republicans have recently been more critical of Morales, even drafting legislation in the most recent legislative session to require more transparency from state officeholders in the wake of some of his scandals.—
Hayleigh Colombo,
IndyStar,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Being a quick study is an invaluable knack in repertory theatre, which is where Hopkins, with a two-year interlude for compulsory military service, kicked off his career.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
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Under state compulsory-attendance laws, children are required to attend school regularly—typically from ages 6 to 16—and districts are required to track every absence.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This summer, Wyoming’s Game and Fish Commission passed regulations that designated some sections fly-only and required anglers to pinch their barbs.—
Christine Peterson,
Outdoor Life,
30 Oct. 2025
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The Chamber argues that the fee was imposed without congressional approval or required rulemaking, in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Congress failed to pass a budget or temporary funding measure before the federal fiscal year ended on October 1, forcing many federal agencies to cease all non-mandatory operations.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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Having initially faced 20 years in jail, the additional indictments raised his possible jail term to 45 years, with a mandatory minimum of five years in federal prison.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In both cases, Israel sought to justify its aggression as a necessary security measure to protect its southern communities.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
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Improvements in several fields are necessary to achieve this capacity.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Incumbent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incumbent. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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