Standard Lemma guide

Hobbesian

adj · noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˈhɒb.zi.ən/
  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˌhɒˈbi.ʒən/
  • General-American: /ˈhɑb.zi.ən/
  • General-American: /ˌhɑˈbi.ʒən/

1

adj

Meaning 1

Of, relating to, or influenced by Thomas Hobbes or his philosophical theories.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: human-sciences, philosophy, sciences

Examples

  • a Hobbesian theory of the state

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: Hobbist, Hobbistical, Hobbish

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Involving unrestrained, selfish, and uncivilized competition.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively

Examples

  • a cutthroat, Hobbesian environment

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

A follower of the theories of Thomas Hobbes.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: human-sciences, philosophy, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: Hobbist

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Hobbes (a surname) + -ian; referring to the 17th century English author Thomas Hobbes, whose best-known work, Leviathan, describes the state of nature in terms of unrestrained, selfish, and uncivilized competition.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Czech: hobbesovský — relating to Thomas Hobbes or his philosophical theories
  • French: hobbesien — relating to Thomas Hobbes or his philosophical theories
  • German: Hobbessch — relating to Thomas Hobbes or his philosophical theories
  • Portuguese: hobbesiano — relating to Thomas Hobbes or his philosophical theories