HOBSON'S CHOICE Synonyms: 23 Similar and Opposite Words

Hobson's choice

noun

Definition of Hobson's choice

as in coercion

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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.

Recent Examples of Hobson's choice Read my lips, in a veritable Hobson's choice between person or thing, AI is a thing, for now. — Lance Eliot, Forbes, 21 June 2022

Recent Examples of Synonyms for Hobson's choice

Noun

In every interview, responders described legal coercion that followed them well beyond the clinical relationship — from confusion about how an order ends to collateral harm to employment, housing, custody proceedings, and immigration status.

— Sakeena Trice, New York Daily News, 19 Aug. 2026
Russia’s frequent weaponization of natural gas had shown how coercion would incentivize target countries to diversify over the long-term.

— GLORIA XIONG, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of coercion

Noun

Peel, who is an expert on the Mexican cattle trade, told CNN that screwworm isn’t the primary force behind high cattle prices, and sees the issue as a fig-leaf for a broader anti-free trade agenda.

— Max Saltman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Hyperliquid, which lets users trade through self-custody wallets rather than a traditional centralized exchange, has emerged as a major force in crypto derivatives trading over the past year.

— Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of force

Noun

Harry and Meghan are returning to the UK as private citizens and will not be resuming any official duties on behalf of King Charles III.

— Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
There is little for police to do besides offer condolences, ask questions and carry out their legal duty to confirm the parents did nothing that constitutes a crime in Idaho.

— Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of duty

Noun

Current remaining performance obligation (cRPO) up 14% in constant currency, which is also 1 percentage point above the July quarter guide.

— Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
The school board directed the Superintendent to determine what the district’s financial obligations would be if a Schools of Hope charter occupied a closed school.

— Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of obligation

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“Hobson's choice.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Hobson%27s%20choice. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of Hobson's choice

noun

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