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incumbent

[in-kuhm-buhnt] / ɪnˈkʌm bənt /
ADJECTIVE
obligatory
Synonyms
Antonyms


NOUN
officeholder
Synonyms
STRONGEST
STRONG


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

With 93% of the vote counted, Pratt had 25.8% of the vote, finishing third behind incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, who had 34.3%, and progressive Democrat Nithya Raman with 28.6%., the AP said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

Reality star Spencer Pratt has lost the race for Los Angeles mayor, with progressive city council member Nithya Raman advancing to face incumbent Karen Bass in November, US media outlets project.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

The results underscore Bass’ unpopularity as an incumbent, garnering just 35% of the vote so far.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2026

As of this writing, the race for the second runoff spot, the one that would put Pratt on the November ballot against incumbent Karen Bass, remains genuinely uncertain.

From Salon • Jun. 6, 2026

“The observance of these standards,” Veblen wrote, “in some degree of approximation, becomes incumbent upon all classes lower in the scale.”

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times




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