Hobson's choice

noun

Definition of Hobson's choicenext
as in coercion

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of Hobson's choice Read my lips, in a veritable Hobson's choice between person or thing, AI is a thing, for now. — Lance Eliot, Forbes, 21 June 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for Hobson's choice
  1. coercion
  2. force
  3. duty
  4. obligation
  5. duress
Noun
  • This would leave Russia and China unable to retaliate and, as a result, vulnerable to coercion.
    — Jeffrey Lewis, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Iceland, which has a robust coast guard but no army or defense ministry of its own, finds itself in an interesting position in a world of great power coercion.
    — Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of coercion
Noun
  • College football returns in full force this week and someone should have told the boys up in Piscataway, New Jersey.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The introduction of the F-15EX is expected to provide additional opportunities for bilateral training and integration with Japanese and other allied forces.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of force
Noun
  • My duties in washing the dishes mark the exact time and place.
    — Alex Jovanovich, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
  • And in 2025, when Mexico raised duties on Chinese autos and steel, China put tariffs on Mexican pecans.
    — Chad P. Bown, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of duty
Noun
  • The company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
    — Emma Clapp, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • This is not just diversity as a social obligation but also diversity of expertise that maps to where your company is actually going.
    — Albana Vrioni, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of obligation
Noun
  • The lawsuit alleges that Macciello modified the loan agreement under duress and agreed to give Shvartsman and his company a greater share of the film’s potential proceeds.
    — Ben Wieder, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • This deal was clearly arrived at in secrecy, with no public debate, and signed under duress.
    — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of duress

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Hobson's choice
Hobson's choices
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Cite this Entry

“Hobson's choice.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Hobson%27s%20choice. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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