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
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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
Throw these men off their hobbyhorses, off the tracks of their discourse.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 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
Never mind the crime issue or that favorite Trumpian hobbyhorse, immigration and the border.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2024
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
Throw these men off their hobbyhorses, off the tracks of their discourse.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 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
Never mind the crime issue or that favorite Trumpian hobbyhorse, immigration and the border.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hobbyhorse
Noun
-
In other ways, situations may have been challenging around children, creative endeavors or even hobbies.—
Kyle Thomas,
People.com,
10 Aug. 2025
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According to Chan, participating in social events like hobby groups or networking meetups can also contribute to building your brand.—
Sophie Caldwell,
CNBC,
10 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Kehoe’s motion does not explain why his office wanted to close the case and Brad Bondi’s filing does not provide details on the materials that may have led federal prosecutors to stop their pursuit of an indictment against Amesty.—
Annie Martin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Many of my fellow conservatives have sought to suffocate the U.S. renewables industry in their pursuit of energy independence despite both wind and gas turbines being mostly made in America.—
Leo Schwartz,
Fortune,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The Sun, the first and only pro sports team owned by a Native American tribe, have been exploring a sale since this spring as the franchise has dealt with criticism about its rural location and the parent company’s lack of investment in player amenities.—
Eric Jackson,
Sportico.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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After McCain voiced anti-trans sentiment regarding trans women playing sports, Cohen hit back at McCain on social media in March.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
8 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
-
Meanwhile, there are vast numbers of people who would like to put together songs from clips and samples, either for their own amusement or for commercial reasons.—
Trevor Clawson,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025
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Many viewers took to the comments to share their amusement at the canine's antics.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hobbyhorse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hobbyhorse. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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