as in officeholder
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of incumbent
Max Tani, semafor.com, 30 Mar. 2026
Though the incumbent, Sall, was ultimately reelected, Sonko earned about 16 percent of the vote, placing third and retaining a strong supporter base.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Mar. 2026
Shabnam Dohutia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Mar. 2026
Democrats have received some unlikely good news that challenger Mary Peltola maintains a lead against incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska, a Republican, after six months of polling.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incumbent
Noun
The platform’s staff has seemed minorly annoyed at the shots Denk and others at Beehiiv have taken as Substack has moved from disruptor to incumbent.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 30 Mar. 2026
Though the incumbent, Sall, was ultimately reelected, Sonko earned about 16 percent of the vote, placing third and retaining a strong supporter base.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI), the elections will decide 824 assembly seats across five legislatures, with polling scheduled for several dates in April and the counting of votes set for May 4, several weeks before the terms of the incumbent assemblies expire.
—Shabnam Dohutia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Mar. 2026
Democrats have received some unlikely good news that challenger Mary Peltola maintains a lead against incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska, a Republican, after six months of polling.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incumbent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incumbent
Noun
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One Cook County officeholder, Assessor Fritz Kaegi, already has felt the public’s anger, losing his Democratic primary reelection race to challenger Patrick Hynes.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
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Citizenship should not function as a political tool wielded by temporary officeholders seeking to alter the electorate’s demographics.—
Carlos De Loera,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But the trial judge, not the jury, will rule on any compulsory changes for Meta at the trial’s second stage in May.—
Peter Weber,
TheWeek,
25 Mar. 2026
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Fittingly, the summit’s resemblance to summer camp fostered a mood of compulsory cheer.—
Gaby Del Valle,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The school's practices allowed people to get massage therapy licenses without finishing the required training, according to TDLR.—
S.E. Jenkins,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
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The Nassau County executive, who has no serious opposition in the GOP primary for governor, was denied funding by the state Campaign Finance Board by a 4-3 party line vote because his running mate failed to file required paperwork.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Tex McIver's felony murder conviction carries a mandatory life sentence.—
Lauren A. White,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
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He was indicted Wednesday, April Fools’ Day, and could face up to 27 years behind bars, with a seven-year mandatory minimum, if he’s convicted of using a firearm during a crime of violence.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Tilling is sometimes necessary, such as when incorporating compost or manure, but limiting the frequency and intensity can help maintain soil structure.—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
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And despite a battery of necessary offseason changes, everything felt the same.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Incumbent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incumbent. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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