incumbent 1 of 2

noun

Definition of incumbentnext
as in officeholder

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incumbent

2 of 2

adjective

in-ˈkəm-bənt How to pronounce incumbent (audio)
as in compulsory
forcing one's compliance or participation by or as if by law it is incumbent upon you to attend every staff meeting

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 incumbent
Noun
And Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa, who unseated incumbent Greg Abbott, made opposition to data centers a major plank of her campaign. — Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026 In an interview three weeks before Tuesday’s election, the incumbent Ada County Commissioner told the Idaho Statesman that things looked uncertain for county Republicans. — Idaho Statesman, 5 Nov. 2026
Adjective
Others yet described Democrats retaking both chambers as part of a natural cycle of backlash for the incumbent party. — Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2026 Kelly was one of almost two dozen incumbent Democrats not running for reelection in the House this year. — Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for incumbent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incumbent
  1. officeholder
  2. compulsory
  3. required
  4. mandatory
  5. necessary
Noun
  • An election changes the officeholder; the lawful duties of the office continue.
    — Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Just as is now the case--when officeholders in Arkansas blindly follow a con man who will go down as the worst president in American history--Arkansas found itself on the wrong side of history in the 1950s.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of officeholder
Adjective
  • Headscarves are less conspicuous among women in these fashionable neighborhoods, despite compulsory hijab rules introduced after the revolution established clerical rule.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Those include whether the fast-growing ultra-Orthodox population should remain exempted from compulsory military service in a country where many families have seen their sons and daughters killed in three years of inconclusive wars.
    — Cara Anna, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of compulsory
Adjective
  • Neither Castillo nor Hershey have filed required ethics reports, or reported fundraising, signs their campaigns lack broad support and have not broadly engaged voters.
    — Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
  • However, recovering their constituent materials at the required purity for reuse is technically challenging.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of required
Adjective
  • Consider having these conversations sooner rather than later, however, as most pet insurance policies will require the completion of a mandatory waiting period before your coverage kicks in.
    — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Regarding compliance, Digital Product Passports (DPPs) are set for a mandatory phase-in for apparel and footwear in late 2027.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of mandatory
Adjective
  • Whether congressional authorization is necessary will continue to play out in court.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 11 Nov. 2026
  • The request follows a judge's order to preserve evidence in a lawsuit filed by Pike's attorneys and reflects the secrecy surrounding execution drugs, which states often argue is necessary to protect access to the drugs and the safety of suppliers.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of necessary

Browse Nearby Words

incumbency
incumbent
incumbents
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Cite this Entry

“Incumbent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incumbent. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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