: 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
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In 2022, Frederiksen won a second term, defying the anti-incumbent mood that has ousted incumbent parties elsewhere since the Covid pandemic.
—Robert Petkoff Krish Seenivasan Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
And, like the United States, that election was fueled by the same anti-incumbent sentiment that plagued in-power political parties throughout the globe during the post-pandemic era.
—Ian Millhiser, Vox, 21 Mar. 2025
The opposition’s upset was the latest sign that simmering discontent over post-pandemic economic malaise favors anti-incumbent candidates.
—Nayara Batschke, Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2024
There's a big anti-incumbent sentiment in America right now, a hunger for populist nationalism, and a desire to 'shake up' the system.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 8 Feb. 2025
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
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Robert Petkoff Krish Seenivasan Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
And, like the United States, that election was fueled by the same anti-incumbent sentiment that plagued in-power political parties throughout the globe during the post-pandemic era.
—Ian Millhiser, Vox, 21 Mar. 2025
The opposition’s upset was the latest sign that simmering discontent over post-pandemic economic malaise favors anti-incumbent candidates.
—Nayara Batschke, Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2024
There's a big anti-incumbent sentiment in America right now, a hunger for populist nationalism, and a desire to 'shake up' the system.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 8 Feb. 2025
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
Cite this Entry
“Anti-incumbent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anti-incumbent. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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