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incumbency

noun

in-ˈkəm-bən(t)-sē How to pronounce incumbency (audio)
Definition of incumbencynext
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

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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 That removes the incumbency advantage the GOP has seen in the district. — Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 July 2026 How much weight does incumbency carry? — Philip Elliott, Time, 10 June 2026 But ultimately, the support for Rosen — through his prolific high-profile endorsements and corresponding fundraising advantage — along with the historical strength of incumbency in this countywide office, appear to have carried him to re-election. — Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 3 June 2026 Assembly District 39 Democratic state Assemblyman Juan Carrillo’s incumbency was being challenged by Republican Paul Andre Marsh, a community services liaison. — Ryan Carter, Daily News, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for incumbency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incumbency
  1. obligation
  2. duty
  3. responsibility
  4. office
  5. need
  6. promise
Noun
  • However, the secondary TV networks do not have any obligation to provide content to third parties.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026
  • But also know that no one is under any obligation to answer questions about their body, even at a gym.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of obligation
Noun
  • Let the national flag float over every schoolhouse in the country and the exercises be such as shall impress upon our youth the patriotic duties of American citizenship.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Pembroke Pines officers asked the sheriff’s office to handle the homicide investigation — John retired from the Pembroke Pines Police Department following nearly 28 years of service and his on-duty motorcycle crash.
    — Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of duty
Noun
  • Their characters contended with sexism, inflexible schedules, unequal pay and the near impossibility of balancing work with responsibilities at home.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Lewis was never charged in the poisonings, but he was convicted of extortion for sending a letter to Tylenol maker Johnson & Johnson taking responsibility for the deaths and demanding $1 million to stop them.
    — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of responsibility
Noun
  • After testing dozens of shoes and brands at many price points, one clear winner stood out for holding up to 10-hour travel days, thousands of steps, and the daily chaos of commuting to an office and being a mom on the go.
    — Claire Gallam, Travel + Leisure, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Henderson's stepfather, Jerry Lowe, flies helicopters for the county sheriff's office.
    — Arthur Allen, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of office
Noun
  • Surely, The New York Times suggests in its review of the book, Green sees himself in Juniper’s need to be taken seriously as an adult.
    — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 24 Sep. 2026
  • In a statement, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation acknowledged the need to improve regulation and ensure it is applied consistently in every county.
    — Robert J. Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of need
Noun
  • Merz, 70, became Germany's leader 16 months ago with promises to turn around an economy that has barely grown in years.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The deals between labels and AI music platforms — on which consumers can create full songs from text prompts — share a basic promise.
    — Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of promise

Browse Nearby Words

incumbencies
incumbency
incumbent
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Cite this Entry

“Incumbency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incumbency. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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