: characterized by or expressing opposition to or disapproval of current political officeholders
Some would argue that 1994 was a mere extension of the anti-incumbent mood in 1992 that toppled President George Bush …—
Donald R. Wolfensberger
Donald R. WolfensbergerExamples of anti-incumbent in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Trudeau is the latest in a series of incumbent world leaders who have either stepped down or lost elections amid a wave of anti-incumbent sentiment.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
Republican National Committee chairman Michael Whatley is hoping to stall the longstanding anti-incumbent midterm trends, which would hurt the GOP in 2026.
—Ross O'Keefe, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Dec. 2024
Even if every Republican senator comes around on all of Trump's picks, the president-elect's supporters have long memories -- and the strain of populism that is one of the country's dominant political drivers has piqued anti-incumbent fervor.
—Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 10 Dec. 2024
With voters’ mood showing no signs of brightening in the new year, the impact of the anti-incumbent surge is being felt not only by the politicians, like Ms. Harris, who were sent packing.
—Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Dec. 2024
Kenneth Cooper, Jim Lewis and Chris Nelson siphoned away nearly a third of the anti-incumbent vote, leaving Trantalis with 38% and Stern with 33%.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 7 Nov. 2024
The party was facing an uphill battle from the jump, with an anti-incumbent mood sweeping through other affluent democracies around the world.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2024
One is being the party that is not in control of the White House at a time when Biden has low approval ratings and there is an anti-incumbent mood across Western democracies.
—Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, 3 Nov. 2024
Polls and election results in Canada, the U.K., France, Germany, Japan and South Korea all show this anti-incumbent tide.
—Axios, 25 Oct. 2024
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.
Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
Republican National Committee chairman Michael Whatley is hoping to stall the longstanding anti-incumbent midterm trends, which would hurt the GOP in 2026.
—Ross O'Keefe, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Dec. 2024
Even if every Republican senator comes around on all of Trump's picks, the president-elect's supporters have long memories -- and the strain of populism that is one of the country's dominant political drivers has piqued anti-incumbent fervor.
—Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 10 Dec. 2024
With voters’ mood showing no signs of brightening in the new year, the impact of the anti-incumbent surge is being felt not only by the politicians, like Ms. Harris, who were sent packing.
—Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Dec. 2024
Kenneth Cooper, Jim Lewis and Chris Nelson siphoned away nearly a third of the anti-incumbent vote, leaving Trantalis with 38% and Stern with 33%.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 7 Nov. 2024
The party was facing an uphill battle from the jump, with an anti-incumbent mood sweeping through other affluent democracies around the world.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2024
One is being the party that is not in control of the White House at a time when Biden has low approval ratings and there is an anti-incumbent mood across Western democracies.
—Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, 3 Nov. 2024
Polls and election results in Canada, the U.K., France, Germany, Japan and South Korea all show this anti-incumbent tide.
—Axios, 25 Oct. 2024
Dictionary Entries Near anti-incumbent
Cite this Entry
“Anti-incumbent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anti-incumbent. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share