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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of incumbent
Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
Olson, who served as mayor for nine years, was defeated by incumbent John Nelson in April 2023.
—Erik S. Hanley, jsonline.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Idaho Statesman, 23 Mar. 2026
One of the key ballots is in Marseille, the country's second-biggest city, where the second round pits the far-right National Rally (RN) against the incumbent Socialist mayor.
—Reuters, NBC news, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incumbent
Noun
The factors that cause one innovation to supplant its predecessor while another technology evolves alongside an incumbent or follows a different path entirely, can vary and are hard to predict, according to experts in history and economic theory whom Fortune spoke to.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
Olson, who served as mayor for nine years, was defeated by incumbent John Nelson in April 2023.
—Erik S. Hanley, jsonline.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
The incumbent county clerk, treasurer and assessor appear likely to sail easily to re-election in November, with no opposition.
—Idaho Statesman, 23 Mar. 2026
One of the key ballots is in Marseille, the country's second-biggest city, where the second round pits the far-right National Rally (RN) against the incumbent Socialist mayor.
—Reuters, NBC news, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incumbent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incumbent
Noun
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Eight of California’s state Senate seats whose officeholders represent Los Angeles County residents will be on the ballot this year.—
Linh Tat,
Daily News,
18 Mar. 2026
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Some races have many candidates, while others, including several congressional races, don't even have an incumbent — which means a new officeholder is guaranteed.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But the trial judge, not the jury, will rule on any compulsory changes for Meta at the trial’s second stage in May.—
Peter Weber,
TheWeek,
25 Mar. 2026
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Fittingly, the summit’s resemblance to summer camp fostered a mood of compulsory cheer.—
Gaby Del Valle,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The school's practices allowed people to get massage therapy licenses without finishing the required training, according to TDLR.—
S.E. Jenkins,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
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The Nassau County executive, who has no serious opposition in the GOP primary for governor, was denied funding by the state Campaign Finance Board by a 4-3 party line vote because his running mate failed to file required paperwork.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Before going on hiatus in 2022 so that the group’s seven members could complete their mandatory military service, BTS was unequivocally the biggest band in the world.—
Mitch Therieau,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
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Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are mandatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics.—
Laura Daniella Sepulveda,
AZCentral.com,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Pluto is in your supportive 4th house, guiding conversations with housemates or relatives about necessary shifts.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
28 Mar. 2026
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What actions are necessary during a red flag warning?—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Incumbent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incumbent. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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