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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in officeholder
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of incumbent
Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
The lineup includes incumbent Kelley Casper, current vice president of the board, and recent Lakota West High School graduate Benjamin Nguyen.
—Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 17 Oct. 2025
Kate Wolffe
october 17, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2025
The three people elected to serve as trustees for the term are incumbent Joe Mora, current recording secretary Philip Quansah and locations manager Robert Paulsen.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incumbent
Adjective
But Collins is a formidable incumbent, having won in tough political climates in the past.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
The lineup includes incumbent Kelley Casper, current vice president of the board, and recent Lakota West High School graduate Benjamin Nguyen.
—Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
Gray won his House seat last year over incumbent Republican John Duarte by 187 votes.
—Kate Wolffe
october 17, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2025
The three people elected to serve as trustees for the term are incumbent Joe Mora, current recording secretary Philip Quansah and locations manager Robert Paulsen.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incumbent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incumbent
Adjective
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The problem arises when implicit or explicit pressures make either covering or uncovering feel compulsory—so the aim is to restore agency, letting employees decide for themselves without penalty.—
Tia Katz,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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The campaign faces a tight deadline, but veto referendums have been successful in Missouri as recently as 2017, when labor unions successfully organized to defeat a right-to-work law that would have banned compulsory union fees.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Their goal was to restore white dominance and undermine Reconstruction governments by targeting Black voters, officeholders, and communities.—
Josiah Bates,
Time,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Republicans have recently been more critical of Morales, even drafting legislation in the most recent legislative session to require more transparency from state officeholders in the wake of some of his scandals.—
Hayleigh Colombo,
IndyStar,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The required curriculum and practicum hours not only prepare the graduates to serve preschool through 12th-grade students, but their families, as well.—
Jenelyn Russo,
Oc Register,
30 Sep. 2025
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Going forward, Boeing and FAA inspectors will take turns performing the required pre-flight safety checks.—
Boston Herald Wire Services,
Boston Herald,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Because Social Security benefit programs are considered mandatory spending by law, they are not impacted by the lapse in funding appropriations.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
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However, washing isn’t mandatory, and a raccoon still will dine if there’s no water nearby.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Some experts say these swipe fees are necessary for merchants to maintain the advantages of accepting cards.—
Gordon Ebanks,
CNN Money,
19 Oct. 2025
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The key issue is how all seven Basin States will share in the cuts necessary to live with less water.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
19 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Incumbent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incumbent. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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