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 some cases, similarity, in terms of sharing the same political views or hobbies, was linked to better relationship outcomes.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
-
Yet today ternary computers are just hobby projects.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
18 July 2025
Noun
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As the final major of 2025, The Open at Royal Portrush promises to deliver compelling storylines -- from McIlroy’s quest for home glory, to Scheffler’s pursuit of a links major and Schauffele’s bid for back-to-back titles -- at a beloved venue in front of the largest crowds outside of St Andrews.—
Erik Matuszewski,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
The guidelines, effective Feb. 1, came amid widespread criticism over the last few years that the NYPD routinely engaged in unnecessary pursuits that lead to crashes and injuries.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
Women’s sports, especially basketball, are experiencing a remarkable surge.—
Tiana Randall,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
-
The absence of meaningful sports, notably football, as well as prime time episodes after series wrapped their seasons in May, sent broadcast networks down 5% from May.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
15 July 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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Things to do: Number of sports teams, number of amusement places and arcades per capita, number of Traveler's Choice attractions per capita.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Austin American Statesman,
22 July 2025
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The amusement company currently operates 42 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada, according to its website.—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hobbyhorse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hobbyhorse. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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