Thesaurus results for AVOCATION

avocation

noun

ˌa-və-ˈkā-shən

Definition of avocation

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

Relevance

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 Retired from her long vocation as a research chemist, Schafer, at 81, remains on the job with her avocations. — Patricia Gallagher Newberry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 13 May 2025 These avocations can take many shapes—traveling, golf, time with family, snowboarding, knitting, hunting, gardening, fishing, church choir, college football, crossword puzzles, theater, cycling, and walking. — Wes Moss, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024 What began as an avocation turned into a serious occupation, as Fox Solomon turned to documenting the remnants of segregation visible in Chattanooga and across the South. — Christina Cacouris, The New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2024 Dramatically groaning and moaning about the heat in the summer is my avocation. — Sherry Kuehl, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for avocation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for avocation

Noun

But Bernie has never had a go, which is why his eye wanders to an advert in the local newspaper (one of Bernie’s hobbies, apart from keeping his toenail clippings in a jar, is cutting out obituaries).

— Damon Wise, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2026
But anything beyond that won't necessarily enhance happiness as much as having fulfilling hobbies, relationships and opportunities for personal growth.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of hobby

Noun

And the landscape itself provides inspiring backdrops for wellness activities and pursuits.

— Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 5 Sep. 2026
Newcastle signed 20-year-old defensive midfielder Aladji Bamba from Monaco of France’s Ligue 1, while Howe’s abrupt departure after almost five years as head coach was another complicating factor in their pursuit of Bergvall.

— Jay Harris, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of pursuit

Noun

That seemed to be the overriding theme of the night, and the sport in general.

— Rob Tanner, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
While the behavior was distracting, Osaka hopes that bringing tennis to a new audience overall will benefit the sport, as long as new fans learn the rules and etiquette of spectating.

— Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of sport

Noun

Her 7 year old and 5 year old are enrolled in a recreation league for football and cheerleading, but the $398 cost is putting a strain on the family's finances, Patterson said.

— Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026
Once officers connected the missing girl with the dog that had been found near the recreation center, a massive law enforcement search began.

— Yana Johnson, NBC news, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of recreation

Browse Nearby Words

avidness

avocation

avocational

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Avocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avocation. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of avocation

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

hobnob

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes