as in officeholder
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Even though Rivera was the incumbent, the Bronx Democratic Party endorsed Camilo in that contest, a snub that resulted in bad blood between party operatives and progressive Rivera supporters.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026
Myra Adams, Washington Post, 9 Jan. 2026
But Bellinger is believed to have a robust market and is considered the incumbent Yankees’ top target.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incumbent
Noun
In the countywide race for assessor, where two-term incumbent Fritz Kaegi is facing off against Lyons Township Assessor Patrick Hynes, unions continued to back Hynes’ campaign following the endorsement of the Chicago Federation of Labor.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Even though Rivera was the incumbent, the Bronx Democratic Party endorsed Camilo in that contest, a snub that resulted in bad blood between party operatives and progressive Rivera supporters.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Vance’s second biggest battle is overcoming political history, which statistically does not favor incumbent vice presidents’ chances of winning the White House.
—Myra Adams, Washington Post, 9 Jan. 2026
But Bellinger is believed to have a robust market and is considered the incumbent Yankees’ top target.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incumbent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incumbent
Noun
-
Both blamed a long-standing Senate practice that made their confirmations to become permanent officeholders unlikely.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
15 Dec. 2025
-
In 2022, Princeton’s Bridging Divides Initiative, which tracks the effects of domestic political violence, began surveying local officeholders.—
Benjamin Wallace-Wells,
New Yorker,
1 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
More recently, the church was sued by a former employee over a policy of compulsory tithing.—
Sam Kestenbaum,
Vulture,
2 Jan. 2026
-
The core design feature is compulsory arbitration, where everyone agrees that if there is a dispute, it is heard by a process overseen by the commissioner—and unlike litigation, it is conducted in private.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
29 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
The victim was taken to the hospital with two stab wounds to her back, and cuts on her arm and hand that authorities say required stitches, per prosecutors.—
Nicole Acosta,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Families and participants are responsible only for transportation to the adventure locations and for obtaining any required hunting or fishing licenses.—
Stephanie Ogilvie,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The negotiations have been mired in disagreements over how mandatory water cuts should be divided among the states.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Jan. 2026
-
On the production of child pornography offense, Sayer faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in prison on each count.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The moratorium, which was confirmed by the league, was necessary because the sides failed to reach a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement or an extension of the current one by Friday night’s deadline.—
Doug Feinberg,
Twin Cities,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The moratorium, which was confirmed by the league, was necessary because the sides failed to reach a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement or an extension of the current one by Friday night's deadline.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Incumbent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incumbent. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
