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

Thus, Oreshnik functions more as an instrument of strategic coercion, creating uncertainty in Western capitals, rather than achieving decisive battlefield gains.

— David Kirichenko, Forbes.com, 7 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

One died of blunt force trauma and heat stroke, eight others died of heat stroke, and two of the dogs had been cremated and no cause of death was determined, the office said.

— Phil Helsel, NBC news, 11 July 2026
All of this would give US forces an advantage in any future conflict with China, which is still in the early stages of launching its own versions of Starlink.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2026

Definition of force

Noun

His passion for politics began at a young age and stemmed from his father who served in the Army and imparted values about duty and service.

— Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026
Still, politicians require more scrutiny than most − particularly when their health directly impacts their ability to perform their duties.

— Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 8 July 2026

Definition of duty

Noun

Then, in 2012, redevelopment agencies were dissolved by the state and their obligations transferred to successor agencies.

— Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026
Without a coordinated strategy, the cumulative risk can become significant even if each individual's obligation seems manageable.

— Blake Harris, Forbes.com, 8 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 14 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of Hobson's choice

noun

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