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
As a restricted free agent, Duren has less flexibility than unrestricted free agents like James, because the incumbent Detroit Pistons can match any offer sheet Duren signs with another team and thus retain him. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 29 June 2026 The incumbent oversees Colorado’s 8th Congressional District. — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 30 June 2026
Adjective
Lander and Avila Chevalier defeated incumbent Democrats. — Julia Cherner, ABC News, 28 June 2026 Adams, an incumbent election board member, voted against certifying the results of 2024’s primary election. — Adam Beam, AJC.com, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for incumbent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incumbent
  1. officeholder
  2. compulsory
  3. required
  4. mandatory
  5. necessary
Noun
  • Diffuse authority and accountability Authority over education has long been distributed among different officeholders.
    — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • Then there are swearing in speeches for interim officeholders, like today’s from Rob Harrington.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2026
Definition of officeholder
Adjective
  • Volkswagen agreed a deal with unions in late 2024 to avoid factory closures in Germany and rule out compulsory redundancies until the end of 2030.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 2 July 2026
  • Zverev had given his window for that day and so was put out by being told that the test, outside of that window, was compulsory.
    — Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 24 June 2026
Definition of compulsory
Adjective
  • The required Biblical passages and stories impact elementary, middle and high school levels and will take effect in the 2030-2031 school year.
    — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
  • Failure to respond within the required timeframe may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner, in Sponsor’s sole discretion.
    — AJC.com, AJC.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of required
Adjective
  • Bring recess back as a mandatory part of the school schedule.
    — Taylor Carney, AJC.com, 6 July 2026
  • The ruling also reflected Sotomayor’s reasoning that owners and players were still bargaining in good faith and that salary policies were mandatory subjects of bargaining.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of mandatory
Adjective
  • Anything tragic that happened to minorities was inevitable and necessary.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
  • No contribution is necessary but encouraged once the account is open so savings can grow, the site said.
    — Medora Lee, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Definition of necessary

Browse Nearby Words

incumbency
incumbent
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Cite this Entry

“Incumbent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incumbent. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on incumbent

Nglish: Translation of incumbent for Spanish Speakers

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