HOBSON'S CHOICE Synonyms: 23 Similar and Opposite Words

Hobson's choice

noun

Definition of Hobson's choice

as in coercion

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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

Noun

Religious coercion has contributed to the rise of militant liberalism among Iranians.

— Mansoor Moaddel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026
Often, smugglers are only engaged in the industry out of financial necessity or coercion.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of coercion

Noun

But can a single supplier, no matter how competent and experienced, possibly be relied upon to deliver such a critical part of both forces’ future warfighting capacity?

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 18 Oct. 2026
Introduced by American occupation forces after World War II, jeans found a market among young Japanese eager to emulate Hollywood stars.

— Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of force

Noun

Donald is taking on a support role with BBC Studios alongside his day-to-day duties running his Cosmopolitan Pictures indie.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
At a news conference, Ali Daamoush accused the Lebanese state of failing to carry out its duties to help the displaced.

— Bassem Mroue, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of duty

Noun

Given that the United States keeps getting mired in errant conflicts, Congress urgently needs to reassert its constitutional obligation to approve acts of war and oversee retrenchment.

— Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026
Council members discussed how to balance the nonprofit’s need for a long-term agreement to attract donors with the city’s need to ensure the building remains in use and the organization fulfills its obligations.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of obligation

Noun

The two positions that will be under most duress against Freeman could be TCU’s nickel and free safety positions.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Oct. 2026
Falcons pass rush heating up Huntley The Falcons have four sacks and eight quarterback hits on Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley, who's been under duress a majority of the night.

— AJC.com, AJC.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of duress

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

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Synonyms of Hobson's choice

noun

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