as in obligation
something one must do because of prior agreement
few incumbencies of her office are as distasteful to the college president as fund-raising, of which there seems to be no end
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Recent Examples of incumbency
But presidential results are a useful lens because of their high turnout and ability to offer a clearer view of partisan trends than congressional elections, which can be highly influenced by incumbency.
—
Ashley Wu,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
But traditional forecasters remain skeptical, continuing to rate the race as Lean Republican—a reflection of Alaska’s underlying GOP tilt and Sullivan’s incumbency advantage.
—
Sam Stevenson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 May 2026
The upcoming election may influence the council’s decision, as appointing someone who plans to run in 2027 could give the candidate an incumbency advantage.
—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
8 May 2026
Park is seeking her second term with the benefit of incumbency and the backing of two powerful unions, the Los Angeles Police Protective League and the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City.
—
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for incumbency
Ashley Wu,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
But traditional forecasters remain skeptical, continuing to rate the race as Lean Republican—a reflection of Alaska’s underlying GOP tilt and Sullivan’s incumbency advantage.
—
Sam Stevenson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 May 2026
The upcoming election may influence the council’s decision, as appointing someone who plans to run in 2027 could give the candidate an incumbency advantage.
—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
8 May 2026
Park is seeking her second term with the benefit of incumbency and the backing of two powerful unions, the Los Angeles Police Protective League and the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City.
—
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for incumbency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incumbency
Noun
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Leaders who want durable AI revenue need to treat commercial clarity as an obligation before the market turns confusion into precedent.
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Taking time to understand the legal obligations, reviewing account documents and exploring repayment or debt relief options when necessary can help families make informed financial decisions during an already challenging time.
Noun
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Eriyonna Walcott, a 3rd Class Cadet, beelined to the Ecuadorian ship docked next to the Eagle in Norfolk after she was let off duty one afternoon.
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The estimate does not fully capture the federal government’s longer-term personnel costs, including the accrual of veterans’ benefits tied to active-duty service, such as retirement and education benefits.
Noun
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In the interim, Deputy Superintendent Melissa Balknight assumed Hill’s responsibilities.
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In that way, a commitment to physical fitness and its various metrics offers leaders greater tolerance for the demanding responsibilities of the role.
Noun
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The governor faced mass backlash from activists across the country for his office's statement.
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From new state laws hitting the books to a state worker's returning to office, Sacramento saw a busy news day Wednesday.
Noun
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Handle power dynamics well by stating needs and listening for fears beneath reactions.
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Instead, the space agency is planning a mission to rescue the telescope and extend its mission for several more years – negating the need to spend more money to replace the observatory, NASA said in a press release.
Noun
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Eighteen years later, the promise of a Swiftian wedding is finally coming true.
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The advertisement’s promise to hold data centers accountable was also extraordinary for another reason.
Cite this Entry
“Incumbency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incumbency. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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