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
Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2025
The incumbent is Republican Tom Barrett, who won the seat in 2024.
—Todd Spangler, Freep.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
In the September 1967 school board election, voters replaced two incumbent members with candidates who were outspoken opponents of the Oregon Plan.
—Time, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incumbent
Adjective
However, Mwangi’s hopes could benefit from Ruto’s own victory over an incumbent in 2022.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2025
The incumbent is Republican Tom Barrett, who won the seat in 2024.
—Todd Spangler, Freep.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
Both incumbent Mayor Michelle Wu and Josh Kraft, who is considered her most serious competition, hosted competing campaign events on Saturday.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
In the September 1967 school board election, voters replaced two incumbent members with candidates who were outspoken opponents of the Oregon Plan.
—Time, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incumbent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incumbent
Adjective
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The plan comes a decade after the government suspended compulsory duty and includes the possibility of reintroducing conscription if recruitment targets are not met, according to Reuters.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Aug. 2025
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How To Avoid Formal Nights Even on the most traditional ships, formal night is never compulsory.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The bill would also apply to the next president and vice president, though not to the current officeholders.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
2 Sep. 2025
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The vast majority of big statewide races in Wisconsin the past 30 years have been, to some degree, referendums on an incumbent officeholder.—
Craig Gilbert,
jsonline.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Critically, this approach achieves the required resolution without the enormous deployment complexity of a 20-meter circular primary or the operational overhead of a starshade.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Sep. 2025
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Though coverage for Wegovy (semaglutide) is generally better than for Zepbound this year, 88% of people getting Wegovy through their insurer still face hurdles, including prior authorization and required protocols in which cheaper treatments must be tried first prior to gaining access.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Now that mandatory fee will nearly double on September 30 to $40.—
Jeanne Bonner,
CNN Money,
6 Sep. 2025
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The Upper Basin has vocally refused to accept any mandatory cuts in its water use for the sake of the reservoirs.—
Austin Corona,
AZCentral.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The first three have helped shape a new-look defence, which had been identified as a necessary area of improvement since last summer.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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From breezy wide-leg pants to tailored joggers, these fashion finds will keep you comfy and put-together from day to night and throughout your travels—no iron necessary.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Incumbent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incumbent. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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