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

The decision must be voluntary, informed, and free of coercion.

— Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
The key risk lies not in policy convergence but in setting precedents that blur the boundaries between law enforcement, coercion and commerce.

— John Calabrese, The Conversation, 6 July 2026

Definition of coercion

Noun

Charlotte didn’t handle teams that push and use force to intimidate the opposition well this past season, often falling short in that department.

— Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
Such footage can help expedite investigations, which can help determine if the use of force was legal, Corey said.

— Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

Definition of force

Noun

The first and most important thing to remember is that both people — but especially Bellingham — will have conducted their post-match duties in a state of physical and emotional exhaustion.

— Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 14 July 2026
Dax, an 18-month-old Belgian Malinois from Poland, is certified in patrol duties, including apprehension and suspect searches, as well as firearms and ammunition detection.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026

Definition of duty

Noun

But when a mysterious stranger begins blackmailing Neve, she is forced to compromise every legal, moral, and ethical obligation to gain an acquittal — or else risk her dark secrets being exposed.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 15 July 2026
Former European Commissioner Thierry Breton was targeted partly for sending a letter to X in 2024 concerning X’s obligations under the Digital Services Act.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 15 July 2026

Definition of obligation

Noun

Work team resilience emerges from collective resources—trust, shared mental models, the capacity to coordinate under duress—rather than from a simple sum of individually tough members.

— Luis E. Romero, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
The Washington Principles also recognize that many sales of artwork by Jews during the Nazi era occurred while they were being persecuted, or under duress.

— Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 29 June 2026

Definition of duress

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“Hobson's choice.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Hobson%27s%20choice. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of Hobson's choice

noun

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