lame-duck
Soon-to-be-replaced official
A lame duck is an official serving out the remainder of a term after a successor has been elected or announced: The lame-duck president pushed through last-minute appointments.
The term implies diminished power and influence—others look past someone whose departure is certain.
Extended to anyone in a position they're about to leave: a lame-duck CEO.
As an adjective: lame-duck session, lame-duck Congress.
Made less capable
- ineffectiveLacking power to achieve
- powerlessLacking strength or authority
- diminishedMade or became smaller
- constrainedForced into narrow limits
hamstrung · toothless · sidelined · irrelevant · uninfluential · marginalized · ignored · bypassed
Sociable and unreserved
- farewellLeave-taking expression
- legacyWhat's passed down
- tenureProtected employment status
- final daysConcluding period
departure · swan song · last act · winding down · sunset · executive orders · term limit · valedictory
One who replaces another
- handoverTransfer of control
- briefingConcise information session
- interregnumRulership gap period
- transition teamPre-inauguration planning group
changeover · swearing-in · inauguration · president-elect · coordination · orientation · security clearances · appointments
weakened
Made less capable
- ineffectiveLacking power to achieve
- powerlessLacking strength or authority
- diminishedMade or became smaller
constrained · hamstrung · toothless · sidelined · irrelevant · uninfluential · marginalized · ignored · bypassed · undermined
outgoing
Sociable and unreserved
final days · departure · swan song · last act · winding down · sunset · executive orders · term limit · valedictory · capstone
successor
One who replaces another
- handoverTransfer of control
- briefingConcise information session
- interregnumRulership gap period
transition team · changeover · swearing-in · inauguration · president-elect · coordination · orientation · security clearances · appointments · peaceful transfer
- presidentialpresidential, executive, inaugural, incumbent, elected
lame-duckpresident-elect
Chosen but not inaugurated
incoming · empowered · ascendant · fresh mandate · successor
lame-duckpowerful
Having great strength
influential · effective · empowered · consequential · relevant