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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Recent Examples of hobbyhorse
Never mind the crime issue or that favorite Trumpian hobbyhorse, immigration and the border.
—
Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2024
Riding clubs and hobbyhorse camps foster those close connections.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 13 June 2024
In part that’s because, to climb back on an old hobbyhorse of mine, platforms are still too stingy with the data that might help researchers understand them better.
—Casey Newton, The Verge, 24 May 2023
Nor does the Trooper seem to hobbyhorse longitudinally or wobble laterally while running straight on some surfaces, as the S-10 Blazer sometimes does.
—Pete Lyons, Car and Driver, 26 Mar. 2023
The short-wheelbase Suzuki hobbyhorses over these rhythmic disturbances and sets your guts a-bouncing.
—Kevin Smith, Car and Driver, 4 Mar. 2023
This is a hobbyhorse of Washington progressives, both because federal jurisdiction over gun crimes hinges on their movement in interstate commerce, and because bloviating about guns is more palatable than addressing who exactly is using guns illegally, a third rail in Democratic Party politics.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 5 Feb. 2022
Most of the criticism is baseless tripe hatched to advance Trump or some other Fox News hobbyhorse, though there have been plenty of legitimate reasons to bash MSNBC and CNN over the years.
—Erik Wemple, Washington Post, 19 July 2022
Speculation about why this might be so tends to reflect the hobbyhorse of the speculator.
—Zoë Heller, The New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2022
Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2024
Riding clubs and hobbyhorse camps foster those close connections.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 13 June 2024
In part that’s because, to climb back on an old hobbyhorse of mine, platforms are still too stingy with the data that might help researchers understand them better.
—Casey Newton, The Verge, 24 May 2023
Nor does the Trooper seem to hobbyhorse longitudinally or wobble laterally while running straight on some surfaces, as the S-10 Blazer sometimes does.
—Pete Lyons, Car and Driver, 26 Mar. 2023
The short-wheelbase Suzuki hobbyhorses over these rhythmic disturbances and sets your guts a-bouncing.
—Kevin Smith, Car and Driver, 4 Mar. 2023
This is a hobbyhorse of Washington progressives, both because federal jurisdiction over gun crimes hinges on their movement in interstate commerce, and because bloviating about guns is more palatable than addressing who exactly is using guns illegally, a third rail in Democratic Party politics.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 5 Feb. 2022
Most of the criticism is baseless tripe hatched to advance Trump or some other Fox News hobbyhorse, though there have been plenty of legitimate reasons to bash MSNBC and CNN over the years.
—Erik Wemple, Washington Post, 19 July 2022
Speculation about why this might be so tends to reflect the hobbyhorse of the speculator.
—Zoë Heller, The New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hobbyhorse
Noun
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The pandemic further accelerated this trend, as consumers turned to cannabis cultivation as a therapeutic, self-sufficient hobby.—
Javier Hasse,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
-
Replace your usual phone time with a non-techy substitute Rather than turning to another screen (a computer or TV, for instance) to fill the void, both experts recommend using those in-between moments to immerse yourself in a hobby that doesn’t rely on technology.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
19 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Despite the challenges, the young actor refused to give up or slow down in his pursuit of professional growth.—
J.M. Banks,
Kansas City Star,
17 Jan. 2025
-
That’s due in large part to its natural beauty—towering mountains, awe-inspiring canyons, and rushing waters inspire hiking, biking, fly-fishing and a number of other outdoor pursuits.—
Amelia Mularz,
Architectural Digest,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Kelce – who had another massive playoff game under the sport’s brightest lights – picked up an 18-yard gain down to the Texans’ eight-yard line, setting up a first-and-goal.—
Kevin Dotson,
CNN,
19 Jan. 2025
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The circus of cameras turned the football program’s director of sports performance into more of a sports information director.—
Pete Sampson,
The Athletic,
19 Jan. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
-
Goose has made quite the name for himself on social media, earning a reputation as a source of endless amusement.—
Eric Fuller,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
-
Born of an amusement ride and opening to the public in 2026, this remarkably clever kiwi idea offers quick, cheap, on-demand urban transit – that's much more direct and private than public transport.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near hobbyhorse
Cite this Entry
“Hobbyhorse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hobbyhorse. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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