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
But Republican incumbent Susan Collins is an unusually formidable foe. — Eric Levitz, Vox, 15 Oct. 2026 But in western North Carolina, an open congressional seat became a toss-up after the Republican incumbent withdrew from the race. — Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026
Adjective
For a second time, Republican David Dewar is challenging incumbent Mary Gill in the 35th House District, which includes all or parts of Alsip, Beverly, Mount Greenwood, Orland Park, Merrionette Park and Palos Park. — Elena Tittel, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026 As in 2018 for Beshear, Sand has the window of opportunity to capture voters souring on the incumbent party in power. — Gabrielle M. Etzel, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for incumbent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incumbent
  1. officeholder
  2. compulsory
  3. required
  4. mandatory
  5. necessary
Noun
  • DuVernay says her team approached nearly 300 GOP officeholders, but only a little more than a dozen engaged with them at all.
    — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The officeholder also serves as president of the State Senate and can cast tie-breaking legislative votes.
    — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of officeholder
Adjective
  • Although the regime has retreated from enforcing compulsory veiling, the opposition movement has continued to radicalize.
    — Mansoor Moaddel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Reczek and Bosley-Smith read the return partly as evidence of compulsory kinship’s durability, and the evidence supports them.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of compulsory
Adjective
  • The agency said any contractor who has not completed required screening will not be authorized to perform mail-handling duties until those requirements are met.
    — Karen Morfitt, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • If the council follows staff’s recommendation during its Wednesday meeting, the project would retain its current approvals, subject to the required conditions.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of required
Adjective
  • However, other than spot-testing, the FDA is still assessing how to standardize testing methods for identifying asbestos—a fact that set social media aflame in 2025 when consumers criticized the department for allegedly ending mandatory testing.
    — Tracy Middleton, Allure, 19 Oct. 2026
  • From 2001 to 2010, as Denmark introduced nationwide resuscitation initiatives including mandatory school CPR education, bystander CPR rates more than doubled, while 30-day survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest more than tripled.
    — Meng Yang, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of mandatory
Adjective
  • The current job climate is creating conditions where pushing past your limits may feel necessary for career survival.
    — Melody Wilding, Contributor, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Successfully navigating those kinds of conflicts will be key if Sharma is to build up the authority and credibility necessary to get Xbox back on track.
    — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of necessary

Browse Nearby Words

incumbency
incumbent
incumbents
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“Incumbent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incumbent. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.

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