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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of incumbency
One of Davis’ greatest assets was his position as lieutenant governor; that currency — incumbency and government know-how — no longer trade at the same high value.
—
Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2026
House said many successful communities in the south suburbs have stable governments that benefit from long-term incumbency or no term limits.
—Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Posing an additional challenge is Thompson's incumbency advantage.
—ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026
For now, Burgat said the early primaries should not be mistaken for a collapse of incumbency but rather a reminder that even strong political advantages can erode when voter frustration meets a credible challenger.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incumbency
Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2026
House said many successful communities in the south suburbs have stable governments that benefit from long-term incumbency or no term limits.
—Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Posing an additional challenge is Thompson's incumbency advantage.
—ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026
For now, Burgat said the early primaries should not be mistaken for a collapse of incumbency but rather a reminder that even strong political advantages can erode when voter frustration meets a credible challenger.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incumbency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incumbency
Noun
-
Post-Adverse Outcome Disclosure Obligations The replacement bill also creates disclosure obligations after an adverse outcome.—
Alonzo Martinez,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
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The director bills it as a five-day road movie, with Mann journeying with his citizen-of-the-world daughter, Erika; the duo unable to attend the funeral of Klaus, Mann’s son, Erika’s brother, due to their obligations on the road.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
15 May 2026
Noun
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Uthmeier has also argued that the government has a duty to protect children who didn’t have a say in not being raised by both biological parents.—
Ann Marie Luft,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
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The bipartisan support for the measure comes at a time when federal closures have become longer and more frequent, frustrating lawmakers who say there should be punishment when Congress fails at its most basic legislative duty.—
Joey Cappelletti,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
He’d been promoted to colonel after the death of Joshua Fry, but that simply meant that all the responsibility for the defeat at Fort Necessity fell on his shoulders.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
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Today’s astrology could leave you mentally bouncing between practical responsibilities and the desire to completely escape reality for a few hours.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Messier addresses the mess Prior to practice the next day at Rye Playland, Keenan summoned a select group of Rangers beat writers into his office and asked them to turn off their tape recorders.—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
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Or lauding his attainment of the nation’s highest office without much schooling at all?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
Noun
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Mental-health support is often discussed in broad terms, but meaningful progress happens when care is local, comprehensive and responsive to the unique needs of individuals and families.—
Maria Bledsoe,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 May 2026
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Arrests and citations do nothing to address these needs.—
Shianne LeClaire,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
Noun
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Their father, Nahuel (Amién), flits from one romantic affair to another, failing to recognize his shortcomings the way fathers typically forget minor yet significant details, like mistaking his younger daughter’s shoe size or never delivering on his promise to have the sink fixed.—
Lé Baltar,
IndieWire,
16 May 2026
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The weekend, for all its promise, tends to collapse into logistics, half-finished to-do lists and the quiet companionship of two people watching the same screen.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Incumbency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incumbency. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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