as in pursuits
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 hobbyhorses
There must have been hundreds of them made, a stable of hobbyhorses, and one had ended up in the basement of our house in Massachusetts.
—
Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hobbyhorses
Noun
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Zarco Tony Trejo Three other people were killed during police pursuits so far this week.—
Tom Wait,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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For example, Cheek cites research that connects altruistic behavior and a sense of purpose with reduced inflammation, as opposed to hedonistic pursuits, which can worsen inflammation.—
Keith Wagstaff,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Conversations about how much the suburb of Apex has grown, of how beautiful the pine trees look pressed up against a cloudless sky, of how some sports have changed, maybe, and represented a vanishing way of a simpler life.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Apr. 2026
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Fairness requires honesty, and the honest truth is that women’s sports exist for a reason.—
Lisa Frizell,
Denver Post,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Lessons beyond the game When asked about personality and hobbies, Michaela didn’t give the answer one would expect from a teenager.—
Charles Baggarly
April 2,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
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The trading card industry is currently enjoying a boom period that Mahan and others attribute to the sudden search for new hobbies amid the Covid-19 lockdowns.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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There's a mix of on-the-beach relaxation (which is also pet-friendly) and off-the-beach amusements, such as go-kart tracks, a handful of mini-golf courses, a number of ice cream shops, and good restaurants.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
19 Jan. 2026
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That will keep the rest of us from footing the bill for their part-time seaside amusements.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hobbyhorses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hobbyhorses. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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