as in hobby
an activity outside of one's regular occupation that is engaged in primarily for pleasure photography is merely an avocation for me—I've never tried to make money off of it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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 avocation Wine, however, was an avocation that eventually became part of his portfolio. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 18 June 2024 And the Romans had other, less-objectionable avocations. Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 5 Mar. 2024 Today, cooking has become a major generational avocation and source of pride. Alexandra Moe, The Atlantic, 6 Dec. 2023 Carter’s new avocation as an end-of-life doula is an outgrowth of the more than 15 years the Detroit native has spent doing hospice work in her free time. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2023 See All Example Sentences for avocation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avocation
Noun
  • Her hobbies include lusting after them, dating them, hanging out at their beach house, contemplative night-swimming in their pool, and occasionally playing volleyball.
    Vogue, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Saudi Arabia’s art scene, long constrained by restrictions and dismissed as a hobby, is now drawing institutional support as the kingdom looks to project its culture globally.
    Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • But at a time when strains of anti-intellectualism are on display in pockets of society, and at a time when all else in the world feels overwhelming, Yeo says she’s moved to see people express so much interest in educational pursuits.
    Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025
  • On third-and-2 at the CU 20, the Buffs QB hurried left with seemingly the entire Houston defense in pursuit, spotted Omarion Miller just past the line of scrimmage, and shoveled him the ball before the red jerseys closed in.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Over three decades, the community has witnessed the Chens’ children growing up—attending their sports games, hearing them practice piano in the restaurant, and blurring the line between customer and friend.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Ciardi, a former professional baseball pitcher, had produced a few major sports films and thought Flynt’s story would make an ideal movie.
    Tim Casey, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • To secure this ideal, the country would need to establish necessities such as education, employment, decent shelter, medical care, and recreation as human rights — rights to be as inalienable as the freedoms of speech and religion are today.
    Big Think, Big Think, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Finalized in 2024, the Public Lands Rule placed conservation on equal footing as livestock grazing, energy development and outdoor recreation under the BLM’s multiple-use mandate.
    John Leos, AZCentral.com, 11 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Avocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avocation. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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