Hobbesian

adjective

Hobbes·​ian ˈhäb-zē-ən 

: of or relating to the English philosopher Thomas Hobbes or Hobbism

Examples of Hobbesian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Still, the internet nurtures these Hobbesian, splenetic views. — Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 24 May 2026

Snow’s life’s work has been sustaining a Hobbesian authoritarian government. — Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026

Glaucon’s characterization anticipates the Hobbesian view of the world—pessimistic and fearful of what unsocialized humans in the state of nature can do to each other. — Paul Rosenzweig, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2026

The deeper problem is that Gaza has become a Hobbesian free-for-all, where life is likely to be nasty, brutish, and short for the unfortunate residents caught in the crossfire. — Bobby Ghosh, Time, 16 Oct. 2025

Looking beyond the existing structures does not mean simply accepting a Hobbesian state of nature. — Michael B. G. Froman, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2025

The comfortable post-Cold War interlude — when markets seemed paramount and history had supposedly ended — has given way to a more raw and Hobbesian environment. — Ashley Lutz, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1776, in the meaning defined above