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
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
Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026
At-large, Oklahoma City will be voting between incumbent Mayor David Holt, 46, and political newcomer Matthew Pallares, 34.
—Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 10 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
The race features incumbent Democrat Alma Shealey Adams, Republican Addul Ali, Republican Jack Codiga and Democrat Monaca Maye Williamson.
—Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026
At-large, Oklahoma City will be voting between incumbent Mayor David Holt, 46, and political newcomer Matthew Pallares, 34.
—Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incumbent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incumbent
Noun
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Initially, the white Democrats who ruled the South responded to the rise of Black political power by crafting racist narratives that insinuated that the emergence of Black voters and Black officeholders was a corruption of the proper political order.—
Robert D. Bland,
The Conversation,
3 Feb. 2026
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The year before, voters in Idaho approved a ballot initiative and became one of a handful of states to establish term limits, including for its federal officeholders.—
Kevin Fixler
January 29,
Idaho Statesman,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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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
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Last year, Denmark sought to increase the number of young people in the military by extending compulsory enlistment to women for the first time.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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They are focused on the human injustices wrought by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers who have stopped cars on roadsides, rounded up job-seekers and even laid in wait outside hearing rooms to detain people complying with required appearances in immigration court.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2026
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The floor initially existed as a score consisting of the project drawings and the required materials; the final shape was left to the team, with the sole instruction not to clean or organize them neatly.—
K. Desbouis,
Artforum,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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One weapons count carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years and a maximum of life, while another related conspiracy charge also carries a maximum sentence of life.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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More than 300 district judges in Minnesota and elsewhere have so far rejected the government’s mandatory detention policies, ordering detainees released or granted bond hearings.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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During a government shutdown, all federal functions necessary for public safety, national security and protecting government property may continue, though employees work without pay.—
Riley Beggin,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
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Still, some major employers either believe AI tools will make junior staff more productive, as is the case with IBM, or that challenging early-career workers was necessary to maintain a talent pipeline, as PwC argues.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Incumbent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incumbent. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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