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
-
The city’s obligations with the Civic had ended when its lease expired the month before.—
Ashley Hiruko,
ProPublica,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Dalio’s debt-cycle warning Dalio has spent decades studying how countries borrow, boom, and then buckle under the weight of their obligations.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
All active-duty personnel stay on the job, but nearly half of the Department of War's 741,477 civilian employees could face furloughs.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Arenas was on duty staffing an ambulance in the city that morning when reports came in of people trapped inside a building that was on fire.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The Israeli military has acknowledged firing warning shots toward crowds in some instances and denied responsibility for other casualties near aid hubs.—
Soph Warnes,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Bigger responsibilities were on the horizon.—
Kevin Kurz,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Shortly before Biden left office in January, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas granted an extension of the protections through October 2026 because the conditions in Venezuela warranted it.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Among other duties, Zilber worked to maintain the forest grounds and educate students and residents on sustainable forest management, according to a news release from Evers' office.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In theory, Gyokeres is exactly what Arsenal need and a potential game-changer for their title ambitions.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
In an era when streaming subscribers pick their own viewing hours, every program is watched by individual consumers at different times of day, in different geographic regions and with different interests and needs.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
These three plays against the Badgers will help remind scouts of his NFL promise.—
Dane Brugler,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Over the years, comforted by the promise of a second chance, Alfie’s ability leads him to take more risks, especially with his love life.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Incumbency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incumbency. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share