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.
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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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What had begun as a hobby eventually blossomed into a thriving business.John Russell, People.com, 20 Dec. 2024
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Their journey began in a corner of their basement as a hobby, and the company now employs 12 workers.Eric Noll, ABC News, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Such admiration undoubtedly stems from his parents, who openly encourage each other’s creative pursuits.Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
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But the pursuit for photos entangles the two in a homicide involving young celebutantes.Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Adding the Women’s World Cup to its portfolio shows the streaming giant is continuing to bulk up its sports rights portfolio.Kristian Burt, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2024
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The fight in Riverside is one of several across California over trans women in high school and college sports.Rebecca Plevin, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2024
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
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While this event has become a source of amusement over time, the circumstances leading to the war and the reasons for its failure highlight the remarkable biology and resilience of these birds and offer insight into human-wildlife conflict.Scott Travers, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
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A great deal of amusement is on the carpet for those who pass the Christmas in a particular way; and the usual opportunity is given those who pass it as a holy, instead of a holiday.Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 15 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near hobbyhorse
Cite this Entry
“Hobbyhorse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hobbyhorse. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
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