as in hobby
an activity outside of one's regular occupation that is engaged in primarily for pleasure
oil painting became the hobbyhorse of her long years of retirement
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hobbyhorse
It is also blighted by Tanenhaus’s hobbyhorses, which are especially evident in his caviling when promoting his book.
—
The Editors, National Review, 2 June 2025
Both parties instead must make the case that federal funding for research is not a partisan hobbyhorse but a source of long-term economic and political strength.
—David G. Victor, Foreign Affairs, 28 May 2025
The treatment of white farmers in South Africa has been a hobbyhorse of South African X owner Elon Musk for quite a while.
—ArsTechnica, 14 May 2025
In 2017, the National Institutes of Health asked Hotez to meet with Kennedy to move him off the hobbyhorse of a vaccine-autism link.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Mergers and acquisitions of media companies is an area squarely in the FCC’s purview, which cannot be said of Section 230 and more tech-adjacent regulation that have also been Carr hobbyhorses.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2025
Throw these men off their hobbyhorses, off the tracks of their discourse.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2025
The Editors, National Review, 2 June 2025
Both parties instead must make the case that federal funding for research is not a partisan hobbyhorse but a source of long-term economic and political strength.
—David G. Victor, Foreign Affairs, 28 May 2025
The treatment of white farmers in South Africa has been a hobbyhorse of South African X owner Elon Musk for quite a while.
—ArsTechnica, 14 May 2025
In 2017, the National Institutes of Health asked Hotez to meet with Kennedy to move him off the hobbyhorse of a vaccine-autism link.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Mergers and acquisitions of media companies is an area squarely in the FCC’s purview, which cannot be said of Section 230 and more tech-adjacent regulation that have also been Carr hobbyhorses.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2025
Throw these men off their hobbyhorses, off the tracks of their discourse.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hobbyhorse
Noun
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For instance, a daily schedule that includes 30 minutes of exercise, an hour of job searching and time for a hobby can create balance.—
John Pierce,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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Some commenters had questions relating to the children's own desires for their hobbies.—
Tabitha Parent,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The pursuit ended for safety reasons, police said.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
21 Aug. 2025
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Spirit Halloween serves as a source for Halloween costumes, as well as indoor and outdoor home decorations – a pursuit more Americans have been swept up in.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
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In the world of sports, the Chicago Cubs and White Sox 2026 schedules were released this week, the AVP League Championships take place at Oak Street Beach this weekend and college football season is upon us.—
Claire Malon,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Aug. 2025
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The complex would have a large pond along SR 32 next to the main entrance, a swimming pool, sports courts and garden plots.—
John Tuohy,
IndyStar,
30 Aug. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
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Michigan's Adventure is an amusement and water park in Muskegon.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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Several voiced their amusement at the viral moment, which has been viewed more than 1 million times since it was posted under @supersausage_charlie.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hobbyhorse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hobbyhorse. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.
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