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

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 But Maine and Alaska are these outlying states, very different than the rest of the map, based off of media market, based off of incumbency and the particulars of the states. — ABC News, 31 May 2026 But presidential results are a useful lens because of their high turnout and ability to offer a clearer view of partisan trends than congressional elections, which can be highly influenced by incumbency. — Ashley Wu, New York Times, 18 May 2026 Trump carried the state by double digits in 2020 and 2024, and Ricketts has the advantages that come with incumbency, party infrastructure and national GOP support. — Jenni Fink, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2026 The upcoming election may influence the council’s decision, as appointing someone who plans to run in 2027 could give the candidate an incumbency advantage. — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 8 May 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
  • But when a mysterious stranger begins blackmailing Neve, she is forced to compromise every legal, moral, and ethical obligation to gain an acquittal — or else risk her dark secrets being exposed.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 15 July 2026
  • Former European Commissioner Thierry Breton was targeted partly for sending a letter to X in 2024 concerning X’s obligations under the Digital Services Act.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 15 July 2026
Definition of obligation
Noun
  • The first and most important thing to remember is that both people — but especially Bellingham — will have conducted their post-match duties in a state of physical and emotional exhaustion.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 14 July 2026
  • Dax, an 18-month-old Belgian Malinois from Poland, is certified in patrol duties, including apprehension and suspect searches, as well as firearms and ammunition detection.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026
Definition of duty
Noun
  • One employee took responsibility for not catching the boys’ early and unapproved departure.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
  • How does personal responsibility enter into this world of unfathomable dangers?
    — Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026
Definition of responsibility
Noun
  • Regina Cantrell is accused of reviewing her son’s arrest warrants while the investigation into him was ongoing, according to the district attorney’s office.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026
  • Even the urologist’s office has athletic jerseys hanging in the treatment room so that men’s masculinity will not be assailed.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 16 July 2026
Definition of office
Noun
  • Being the venue everyone needs did not buy safety, and the American umbrella arrived after the fact rather than before it.
    — Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
  • Growing need, few resources Women’s incarceration rates have grown at twice the pace of men’s in recent decades.
    — Amber Gaudet July 18, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
Definition of need
Noun
  • Grand Cay is being positioned as part of Samaná’s next chapter, but its most meaningful promise is not only luxury golf or resort living.
    — Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
  • What differentiates Ammortal from the glut of wellness and optimization products on the market, according to its charismatic and observably in-shape founder, is the promise of a more all-encompassing experience of physical and mental restoration.
    — Jake Nevins, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026
Definition of promise

Browse Nearby Words

incumbencies
incumbency
incumbent
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Incumbency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incumbency. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on incumbency

Nglish: Translation of incumbency for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 17
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
child-detective
Spot the Misspelled Word July 2026 Those little red underlines can't help you now...
See All