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
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
His words of wisdom are tinged with wit and old-fashioned horse sense.
—Southern Living, 14 May 2018
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
His words of wisdom are tinged with wit and old-fashioned horse sense.
—Southern Living, 14 May 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for horse sense
Noun
-
In all negotiations, prudence cannot be sacrificed.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
18 June 2025
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Waugh: Fundamentally, Newcastle want to significantly bolster Howe’s squad while maintaining financial prudence.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
12 June 2025
Noun
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The accepted wisdom goes something like this: since the dawn of our species, human communities have been stitched together by the belonging impulse.—
Dr. Rami Kaminski,
Time,
18 June 2025
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Mihir Bose wrote the definitive book The Nine Waves: The Extraordinary Story of How India Took Over World Cricket in 2019 and disagrees with the wisdom of that Indian takeover.—
Paul Newman,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
Noun
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There is not an American President—Bill Clinton, George H. W. or George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, or Donald Trump—who has dealt with Netanyahu and not, sooner or later, come away with a lingering sense of resentment.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
21 June 2025
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The writers and creators tried to play down that side and ramp up Lucy’s sense of agency.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
20 June 2025
Noun
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Trump makes good on pledge to restore ‘common sense’ and kill DEI The war ended in April 1865, yet rebelling states such as Texas weren’t ready to give up slavery, according to the museum.—
Mackenzie Thomas,
The Washington Examiner,
16 June 2025
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The Supporting Healthy Moms and Babies Act is common sense.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 June 2025
Noun
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With the shoreline in easy sight, the injured Nancy is stranded to fight off a killer shark with nothing more than her wits (and a seagull, which becomes her Wilson the volleyball).—
Chris Nashawaty,
EW.com,
20 June 2025
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Solo ended her high school career wit ha 63-19 record and a 1.78 ERA.—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
20 June 2025
Noun
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Student discipline policies and enforcement in North Carolina public schools can vary based on district.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
18 June 2025
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Frontier recently shifted its policies in favor of its passengers (when other lower-cost carriers were doing the opposite), to allow flight flexibility without the punitive fees—and free bags.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Horse sense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horse%20sense. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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