A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.
Source: tatoeba (6673843)
Hobgoblin
Synonyms for "hobgoblin" (48 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (10)
Strong matches (14)
Related words (24)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: goblin, annoyance, bete noire, bogey, bogeyman.
- Sentence evidence is available for hobgoblin, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, derived_reverse, moby, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "hobgoblin".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "hobgoblin"
Keep "hobgoblin" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "hobgoblin" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "hobgoblin", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "hobgoblin" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
7 entriesMore specific
4 entriesforest goblinhouse goblinnagging issuepersistent nuisance
Collocations
6 entriesdomestic hobgoblinhobgoblin folklorehobgoblin legendhobgoblin mischiefmythical hobgoblintroublesome hobgoblin
Inflections
1 entriesDerivations
3 entriesSample sentences
8 total sentences available.
A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.
Source: tatoeba (10620273)
A M. Berbiguier lately published an elaborate work, in three huge volumes, in which he demonstrated the existence of hobgoblins, described the proper manner of capturing and securing them, and took credit to himself for his zeal for the benefit of mankind, in allowing no day to pass without imprisoning, with his own hands, at least thirty hobgoblins. A writer of biographical notices of contemporary authors, who believed neither in M. Berbiguier's manner of catching hobgoblins nor in the existence of hobgoblins did not scruple to say that M. Berbiguier was mad, and upon this M. Berbiguier brought his action for libel; but unluckily, together with his action, he brought himself into Court, and established in a very few words the truth of the libel.
Source: wiktionary
The eyes blinked out and he heard a faint grunt, followed by the sounds of the Hobgoblin scrambling further back into the tunnel, away from the faint sunlight and the Ur'hunglav's domain.
Source: wiktionary
Showing 4 of 8 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "hobgoblin"?
Closest matches include goblin, annoyance, bete noire, bogey, bogeyman.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "hobgoblin"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.