avocations

noun

plural of avocation
as in pursuits
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 avocations Unlike in fields where avocations have to replace callings, academic retirees go on to pen as many articles and books as decline permits. — Literary Hub, 18 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avocations
  1. pursuits
  2. hobbies
  3. sports
Noun
  • During a March City Council meeting, interim Police Chief Douglas Brinkley said Independence officers conducted 541 pursuits in 2025, compared with 137 by Kansas City police, The Kansas City Star reported.
    — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • His later pursuits included work in children’s theater education and men’s fashion and owning a West Hollywood flower shop.
    — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of pursuits
Noun
  • Greg’s colleagues from over the years describe him as fiercely competitive, not just with work projects but also with hobbies like running and weight lifting.
    — Julia Black, Vanity Fair, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The data showed that on Faire’s platform, orders for crafts and hobbies rose 58 percent, games 55 percent and puzzles 40 percent.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of hobbies
Noun
  • Flores was a football player with Steinbeck Tigers Youth Football & Cheer, according to a fundraiser set up by the youth sports group to help his family cover funeral, memorial and other expenses.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The firehose of the same few examples in high school and college sports being blasted ad nauseam is not evidence of anything but the power of fear and ignorance of biology.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of sports

Browse Nearby Words

avocational
avocations
avoid
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Avocations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avocations. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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