Hobson's choices

noun

plural of Hobson's choice
as in duresses

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for Hobson's choices
  1. forces
  2. obligations
  3. duties
Noun
  • Hollows haven’t been found elsewhere on planets in our solar system, and with no wind or water to form the thousands of puzzling depressions, scientists want to know what forces sculpted them.
    — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
  • By isolating electrical and fluid lines from pulling forces, the design preserves conductor integrity and dramatically extends cable service life.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of forces
Noun
  • Some of the film’s chaos is by design to clue viewers into the demands and desires of Ryan’s life as his obligations pull him in countless competing directions.
    — Marshall Shaffer, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Those skipping the event cite plans in their districts and other obligations.
    — Joey Garrison, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of obligations
Noun
  • As these tasks fell outside the scope of the employees' official duties, the directive amounted to a violation of ethical standards, the report concluded.
    — Andrea Hsu, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026
  • One of this season’s major storylines is Gallagher juggling his bosun duties on the yacht while trying to be present for Cameron and their newborn son, who were living nearby in Croatia.
    — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of duties
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.

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Hobson's choice
Hobson's choices
hock
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Cite this Entry

“Hobson's choices.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Hobson%27s%20choices. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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