anti-incumbent
adjective
an·ti-in·cum·bent
ˌan-tē-in-ˈkəm-bənt 
ˌan-tī-
ˌan-tī-
: characterized by or expressing opposition to or disapproval of current political officeholders
Some would argue that 1994 was a mere extension of the anti-incumbent mood in 1992 that toppled President George Bush …—
Donald R. Wolfensberger
Donald R. WolfensbergerExamples of anti-incumbent in a Sentence
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Thad Kousser, a political science professor at the University of California San Diego, said that despite voters’ anti-incumbent sentiments, name recognition was still helpful for some of these statewide candidates.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
But Rice’s challenge — and the push by several congressional candidates to petition their way onto the primary ballot in Connecticut — underscored the frustration and anti-incumbent sentiment happening across the Democratic Party.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 3 June 2026
Heading into the 2023 election, most commentators predicted that the Sánchez government would succumb to the anti-incumbent fervor sweeping Europe and that Vox would enter government for the first time.
—Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026
But when anti-incumbent challenges succeed in Senate races, things get unpredictable.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 27 May 2026
The results of early primary elections in North Carolina and Texas last month suggested an anti-incumbent mood.
—Michelle Cottle, Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2026
If enough Boca Raton voters are fed up with this ugly trend — and strong signs show an anti-incumbent backlash in the city — the insurgent Liebelson could win.
—Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2026
The presidential election in Poland delivered the latest anti-incumbent surprise in what has been a tough period for establishment candidates the world over.
—Ian Bremmer, Time, 21 June 2025
That strategy seemed aimed at riding the worldwide rightward, anti-incumbent currents that dominated last year.
—Victoria Kim, New York Times, 2 May 2025
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William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
But Rice’s challenge — and the push by several congressional candidates to petition their way onto the primary ballot in Connecticut — underscored the frustration and anti-incumbent sentiment happening across the Democratic Party.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 3 June 2026
Heading into the 2023 election, most commentators predicted that the Sánchez government would succumb to the anti-incumbent fervor sweeping Europe and that Vox would enter government for the first time.
—Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026
But when anti-incumbent challenges succeed in Senate races, things get unpredictable.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 27 May 2026
The results of early primary elections in North Carolina and Texas last month suggested an anti-incumbent mood.
—Michelle Cottle, Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2026
If enough Boca Raton voters are fed up with this ugly trend — and strong signs show an anti-incumbent backlash in the city — the insurgent Liebelson could win.
—Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2026
The presidential election in Poland delivered the latest anti-incumbent surprise in what has been a tough period for establishment candidates the world over.
—Ian Bremmer, Time, 21 June 2025
That strategy seemed aimed at riding the worldwide rightward, anti-incumbent currents that dominated last year.
—Victoria Kim, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anti-incumbent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anti-incumbent. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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