as in officeholder
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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
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Recent Examples of incumbent
Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
It’s modeled on Connecticut’s public financing system, the same system that helped me defeat an 18-year incumbent in the State House.
—State Rep. Jillian Gilchrest, Hartford Courant, 10 Feb. 2026
Zoe Christen Jones, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026
Some of the incumbent step-downs were due to the pursuit of a new job; in other cases, fresh initiatives dictated change.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incumbent
Noun
Her victory over David Ryu was the first time in 17 years that a challenger ousted a City Council incumbent.
—Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
It’s modeled on Connecticut’s public financing system, the same system that helped me defeat an 18-year incumbent in the State House.
—State Rep. Jillian Gilchrest, Hartford Courant, 10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Former Vice President Walter Mondale ultimately went on to win the nomination and lose to Republican incumbent President Ronald Reagan.
—Zoe Christen Jones, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026
Some of the incumbent step-downs were due to the pursuit of a new job; in other cases, fresh initiatives dictated change.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incumbent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incumbent
Noun
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In January, the governor took the unusual step of snubbing Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, a fellow Republican state officeholder, and throwing his support behind political newcomer Nate Sheets in the primary.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
15 Feb. 2026
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The long-time officeholder ran unopposed not only for re-election, but also for renomination in last February’s city Democratic primary.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Where military service is compulsory, and may only disappoint our best or even worst men, but can be interrupted, thank god, by life’s hairpin turns.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
16 Feb. 2026
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European and American teachings focused more on compulsory figures, the basic patterns skaters would trace across the ice that give the sport its name.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The proposal underscores a complicated moment for Jewish literature in Texas schools, where books about the Holocaust and Jewish history have recently been pulled from shelves amid parental complaints but are now poised to become required reading statewide.—
Andrew Lapin,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Feb. 2026
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While advocates and some commissioners urged the county to file a lawsuit to clarify its role and required duties, Demings chose a more careful path.—
Ryan Gillespie,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Between attorney fees, court filing fees and mandatory credit counseling courses, the upfront and ongoing costs of a Chapter 13 case can cost thousands of dollars.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2026
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Sykes, who was nominated by President Joe Biden, a Democrat, ruled in November and again in December that the mandatory detention policy violated an act of Congress.—
Sudhin Thanawala,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Some speculation has existed about whether the basic physiological processes necessary for intercourse, particularly for men, might be compromised by microgravity.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Feb. 2026
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Efficiently developing mineral sites is necessary for Africa’s own industrialization, infrastructure expansion, food security, and energy systems, AFC argued.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Incumbent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incumbent. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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