as in prudence
the ability to make intelligent decisions especially in everyday matters
pure horse sense should tell you it's dangerous to play with matches
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Recent Examples of horse sense
Anheuser-Busch will have to see how viewers react to its latest ad to determine if consumers think the Clydesdales still present good horse sense or represent a horse of a different color.
—
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026
Our people have a horse sense for what good work is.
—Beth Greenfield, Fortune, 1 July 2024
His words of wisdom are tinged with wit and old-fashioned horse sense.
—Valerie Fraser Luesse, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2024
My bet is that Smith has that political horse sense.
—Michael Tomasky, The New Republic, 8 June 2023
But Lord knows, there’s a mountain of acumen and perspicacity or, in plain terms, good horse sense stored in those minds and souls.
—Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 8 Jan. 2023
Back in 2011, Daniels, a former Bush White House official and two-term Indiana governor known for his conservative horse sense and low-key manner, passed on a White House run and went on to accept the Purdue presidency.
—Frederick Hess, Forbes, 16 June 2022
In an age when Hollywood’s highest-profile parent-child relationship is that between Britney Spears and her father, what could be more refreshing than the homespun horse sense of the Howard boys?
—Peter Tonguette, WSJ, 7 Oct. 2021
People have many ways of talking about intuition: gut, nose, sixth sense, horse sense, Spidey-sense.
—Steve Kolowich, Washington Post, 20 June 2019
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026
Our people have a horse sense for what good work is.
—Beth Greenfield, Fortune, 1 July 2024
His words of wisdom are tinged with wit and old-fashioned horse sense.
—Valerie Fraser Luesse, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2024
My bet is that Smith has that political horse sense.
—Michael Tomasky, The New Republic, 8 June 2023
But Lord knows, there’s a mountain of acumen and perspicacity or, in plain terms, good horse sense stored in those minds and souls.
—Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 8 Jan. 2023
Back in 2011, Daniels, a former Bush White House official and two-term Indiana governor known for his conservative horse sense and low-key manner, passed on a White House run and went on to accept the Purdue presidency.
—Frederick Hess, Forbes, 16 June 2022
In an age when Hollywood’s highest-profile parent-child relationship is that between Britney Spears and her father, what could be more refreshing than the homespun horse sense of the Howard boys?
—Peter Tonguette, WSJ, 7 Oct. 2021
People have many ways of talking about intuition: gut, nose, sixth sense, horse sense, Spidey-sense.
—Steve Kolowich, Washington Post, 20 June 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for horse sense
Noun
-
This is not the time for fiscal prudence for the Sharks.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Davion Mitchell has been here before, the risk-reward crossroads between going full speed, shoulder first through a hard screen or practicing prudence.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Protect your peace so wisdom arrives in stillness.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
-
That's the wisdom of our universe.—
Kara Frame,
NPR,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The small, walkable village of Tubac is the ideal destination for a day trip or weekend getaway, one with dozens of unique galleries that embrace a sense of place in the Sonoran Desert.—
Molly Allen,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
-
But there was something profound about the sense of connection and engagement that all kinds of writing gave him.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But people should use their common sense.—
Jared Perlo,
NBC news,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Here, again, ideology trumps logic and common sense.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Grace balances a razor sharp wit with striking sincerity and absolute cool.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The poor thing must’ve been scared out of its wits.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Some policy defenders contend that the labor market weakness reflects adjustments to immigration restrictions rather than fundamental economic failure, positioning this as a deliberate policy choice rather than an economic failure.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Supporters of Newsom’s proposal have described it as a fairness policy, to create a uniform system of work requirements.—
Andrew Graham
March 9,
Sacbee.com,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Horse sense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horse%20sense. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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