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
as in officeholder
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of incumbent
Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 16 Sep. 2025
In challenging the 80-year-old incumbent, Vang hopes to channel frustration from young and progressive voters with establishment Democrats who serve for decades and into their twilight years.
—Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Killian Baarlaer, Louisville Courier Journal, 18 Sep. 2025
The polls show that the Republican candidate is third, and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams is fourth.
—Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incumbent
Adjective
Murphy finished third last Tuesday with 16% of the vote, behind City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune and incumbent Julia Mejia, who garnered 17% of the vote and has also recently clashed with Wu.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 16 Sep. 2025
In challenging the 80-year-old incumbent, Vang hopes to channel frustration from young and progressive voters with establishment Democrats who serve for decades and into their twilight years.
—Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
Bast flipped the Southwest Louisville district from blue to red in the 2024 general election, defeating incumbent Democratic Councilwoman Cindi Fowler.
—Killian Baarlaer, Louisville Courier Journal, 18 Sep. 2025
The polls show that the Republican candidate is third, and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams is fourth.
—Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incumbent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incumbent
Adjective
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The problem arises when implicit or explicit pressures make either covering or uncovering feel compulsory—so the aim is to restore agency, letting employees decide for themselves without penalty.—
Tia Katz,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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The campaign faces a tight deadline, but veto referendums have been successful in Missouri as recently as 2017, when labor unions successfully organized to defeat a right-to-work law that would have banned compulsory union fees.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Kirk’s death reflects a sizable increase in threats against officeholders and politicians at the local and federal level.—
Arie Perliger,
The Conversation,
11 Sep. 2025
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The bill would also apply to the next president and vice president, though not to the current officeholders.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Shein fully complies with local regulations in France and pays all required taxes.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
18 Sep. 2025
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Fill in all the required information and then watch for your photo to be part of the online gallery.—
Christopher Kuhagen,
jsonline.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The district would have mandatory training programs for all AI users, including students, teachers and staff.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Sep. 2025
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The federal Medicare and Medicaid health insurance programs are considered mandatory spending, meaning benefits won’t be impacted if the government shuts down.—
Jordan Green,
Nashville Tennessean,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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To help prolong the life of your heavy-duty bedding, only wash when necessary, and consider using a duvet to reduce the frequency of cleaning.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
28 Sep. 2025
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The deal is good at any participating Krispy Kreme shop for a free medium hot or iced coffee and a free doughnut of choice, no purchase necessary (good in stores and via drive-thru at participating shops).—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Incumbent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incumbent. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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