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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of incumbency
Well, the principle that govern the original Texas redistricting was incumbency protection.
—
Steve Inskeep, NPR, 22 July 2025
Despite his incumbency, Adams hasn’t secured many high-profile endorsements.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 15 July 2025
Republicans will not have the advantage of incumbency in the next presidential contest; the Constitution bars President Donald Trump from seeking a third term.
—Steve Peoples, Twin Cities, 14 July 2025
But Baker, in his first run for governor, was defeated by Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick —and the power of incumbency — in 2010.
—Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for incumbency
Steve Inskeep, NPR, 22 July 2025
Despite his incumbency, Adams hasn’t secured many high-profile endorsements.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 15 July 2025
Republicans will not have the advantage of incumbency in the next presidential contest; the Constitution bars President Donald Trump from seeking a third term.
—Steve Peoples, Twin Cities, 14 July 2025
But Baker, in his first run for governor, was defeated by Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick —and the power of incumbency — in 2010.
—Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for incumbency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incumbency
Noun
-
Issuing a faulty boarding pass and leaving you stranded in Toronto is a clear breach of that obligation.—
Christopher Elliott,
Mercury News,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Recently, the L’Oréal Paris spokesperson has been jet-setting around the world fulfilling her stylish obligations.—
Michelle Lee,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The duty to settle honor scores was forced upon Rashida by his elders.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Oct. 2025
-
The adorable pup lies flat on their stomach, fast asleep, as their owner gently drags them through the airport queue—clearly not quite ready for a full day on duty.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Traditionally, one of the key justifications for teamwork has been its psychological benefits—the energy that comes from collaboration, the reduced stress of shared responsibility, the excitement of building on each other’s ideas.—
François Candelon,
Fortune,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Silva deserves credit for trusting an 18-year-old to shoulder the responsibility, even when King has shown his inexperience.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Trump was close to Abe, who was assassinated after leaving office.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
-
In a new joint venture redeveloping the marina, Everett Landco announced plans to take down storage tanks and dismantle offices at the location this month, per NBC News.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Takaichi has underscored the need to accelerate Japan’s military buildup after years of pacifism since World War II, echoing Abe’s militaristic vision.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Budgets should be more balanced when economic times are good, when there is less need for government stimulus and greater opportunities to grow tax revenue.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Africa’s leading banking groups are targeting DR Congo, enticed by one of the continent’s fastest-growing economies and the promise of a lucrative mining sector, despite the ongoing conflict in the country’s east.—
Ruben Nyanguila,
semafor.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
For now, the region appears cautiously hopeful that the tone has changed, and that Washington’s promises of partnership will be matched by consistency in policy.—
Mayu Saini,
Sourcing Journal,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Incumbency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incumbency. Accessed 1 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share