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
When Risch declined to debate, Achilles showed up to directly confront the incumbent at a limited public appearance in Boise, where Risch was set to speak at a 9/11 memorial event. — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2026 Sabin won a three-way primary, beating both a democratic socialist and a longtime incumbent first elected more than a decade before he was born. — Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026
Adjective
The five seats up for grabs on the Fulton Commission include the northern District 1 spot, where incumbent Republican Bridget Thorne is embroiled in a rematch with Democrat Maggie Goldman. — Reed Williams, AJC.com, 17 Oct. 2026 That follows two $500,000 ad buys from the business group, which has historically aligned with Republicans, praising incumbent Sens. — semafor.com, 16 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
  • Ben-Gvir was considered so extreme that the Israeli military barred him from compulsory service.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Ultra-Orthodox political leaders have demanded a law to formalize the group's broad exemption from the draft, but one that would also determine a percentage of ultra-Orthodox men and women who would be subject to compulsory service.
    — Dov Lieber, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of compulsory
Adjective
  • However, Brookfield disputed the claim and said no compensation is currently owed to BHV, and that any compensation was conditional on the premises being returned in the required condition.
    — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2026
  • No specific guidelines were given – just the required proportions.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of required
Adjective
  • In a country where enlistment is mandatory for most Jewish men and women, these exemptions have always angered the broader public.
    — Josef Federman, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Other campaign issues include mandatory military service, which is particularly sensitive for religious Jewish parties and Haredi communities.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of mandatory
Adjective
  • The father and son are accused of recycling patients through their facilities to continue billing insurance companies, regardless of whether treatment was medically necessary or actually provided.
    — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
  • That means no seasoning necessary, rust resistance, and easy cleanup.
    — Editors of Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of necessary

Browse Nearby Words

incumbency
incumbent
incumbents
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Cite this Entry

“Incumbent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incumbent. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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