INCUMBENCY Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

incumbency

noun

in-ˈkəm-bən(t)-sē

Definition of incumbency

as in obligation

something one must do because of prior agreement few incumbencies of her office are as distasteful to the college president as fund-raising, of which there seems to be no end

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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 incumbency That removes the incumbency advantage the GOP has seen in the district. — Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 July 2026 How much weight does incumbency carry? — Philip Elliott, Time, 10 June 2026 But ultimately, the support for Rosen — through his prolific high-profile endorsements and corresponding fundraising advantage — along with the historical strength of incumbency in this countywide office, appear to have carried him to re-election. — Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 3 June 2026 Assembly District 39 Democratic state Assemblyman Juan Carrillo’s incumbency was being challenged by Republican Paul Andre Marsh, a community services liaison. — Ryan Carter, Daily News, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for incumbency

Recent Examples of Synonyms for incumbency

Noun

Given that the United States keeps getting mired in errant conflicts, Congress urgently needs to reassert its constitutional obligation to approve acts of war and oversee retrenchment.

— Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026
Council members discussed how to balance the nonprofit’s need for a long-term agreement to attract donors with the city’s need to ensure the building remains in use and the organization fulfills its obligations.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of obligation

Noun

Donald is taking on a support role with BBC Studios alongside his day-to-day duties running his Cosmopolitan Pictures indie.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
At a news conference, Ali Daamoush accused the Lebanese state of failing to carry out its duties to help the displaced.

— Bassem Mroue, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of duty

Noun

No perpetrators have been publicly identified, and no claims of responsibility have been made public.

— JOHN LEICESTER, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
The carrier is expected to hold NATO command ship responsibilities until mid-2027, positioning it to lead a multinational naval force if activated during an international crisis.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of responsibility

Noun

The first practical transformer was switched on about 15 miles down the road, in 1886, when William Stanley lit stores and offices lining Great Barrington’s Main Street.

— Alex Pasternack, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
To further explore how CMOs and CFOs are collaborating to drive growth, register to join Fortune’s Creativity Meets Capital Breakfast on Thursday 26 November, 9am–12pm, at LinkedIn’s London office.

— Sam Birchall, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of office

Noun

The film explores the contradictions of a Bulgarian town pulled into Europe’s shifting geopolitical order, where arms production for Ukraine’s frontlines collides with enduring ties to Russia, personal convictions, and the everyday need to survive.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
The company recently introduced four-finger hands for Atlas, underscoring the need to design robotic hardware around practical requirements.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of need

Noun

Publicly, Pacific Fusion talks mostly about its future ability to supply electricity, a promise the fusion industry has made for years.

— Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Since then, Netanyahu has been criticized by opponents for failing to deliver on his promise of restoring regional security.

— Chad de Guzman, Time, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of promise

Browse Nearby Words

incumbencies

incumbency

incumbent

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“Incumbency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incumbency. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of incumbency

noun

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