as in to negotiate
to talk over or dispute the terms of a purchase
I horse-traded with the painter: I did his tax returns, and he did my kitchen
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in negotiation
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Recent Examples of horse-trade
Leo Schwartz, Fortune Crypto, 4 Oct. 2023
The blandishments McCarthy might have offered to horse trade his way to the speakership — fancy titles, perks, a fundraising appearance — meant little to those Republican holdouts who would like nothing more than to burn Washington to the ground.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2023
Congress, by contrast, can hold wide-ranging hearings, issue subpoenas, survey and even commission empirical research, weigh fiscal trade-offs, consider constituent popularity, balance different values and interests, horse trade, negotiate, and forge compromises.
—Ian MacDougall, Harper’s Magazine , 28 Sep. 2022
Krikorian, from the restrictionist Center for Immigration Studies, argued DACA recipients could have gotten green cards by now, if Democrats had been willing to horse trade for tougher enforcement.
—Dallas News, 18 July 2022
In the early 1960s, the bistate agency took over what was then the struggling Hudson and Manhattan Railroad as part of a horse trade between New Jersey and New York that committed the Port to build the first World Trade Center.
—Paul Berger, WSJ, 30 Nov. 2018
And Paul George finally escaped Indiana, albeit to a dark-horse trade partner in the Oklahoma City Thunder.
—Peter Dawson and Pdawson@star-Telegram.com, star-telegram, 13 Dec. 2017
Noun
The rising profile of McHenry and Emmer is likely bullish for crypto bills, as both work to convince Democrats on their committee—and their counterparts over in the Senate—to horse trade over stablecoin and market structure legislation.
—Leo Schwartz, Fortune Crypto, 4 Oct. 2023
The blandishments McCarthy might have offered to horse trade his way to the speakership — fancy titles, perks, a fundraising appearance — meant little to those Republican holdouts who would like nothing more than to burn Washington to the ground.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2023
Congress, by contrast, can hold wide-ranging hearings, issue subpoenas, survey and even commission empirical research, weigh fiscal trade-offs, consider constituent popularity, balance different values and interests, horse trade, negotiate, and forge compromises.
—Ian MacDougall, Harper’s Magazine , 28 Sep. 2022
Krikorian, from the restrictionist Center for Immigration Studies, argued DACA recipients could have gotten green cards by now, if Democrats had been willing to horse trade for tougher enforcement.
—Dallas News, 18 July 2022
In the early 1960s, the bistate agency took over what was then the struggling Hudson and Manhattan Railroad as part of a horse trade between New Jersey and New York that committed the Port to build the first World Trade Center.
—Paul Berger, WSJ, 30 Nov. 2018
And Paul George finally escaped Indiana, albeit to a dark-horse trade partner in the Oklahoma City Thunder.
—Peter Dawson and Pdawson@star-Telegram.com, star-telegram, 13 Dec. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for horse-trade
Verb
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But stocks were buoyed by reports that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was willing to negotiate.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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There were no mass demonstrations by the Iranian people against the regime, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps continued to fight even more ferociously, and Khamenei’s death did nothing to bring Iran’s negotiating position onto a more reasonable plane.—
Daniel DePetris,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Cybele Mayes-Osterman Iran and the United States have yet to find common ground to move to the next step towards negotiations, a regional official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
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After more than a week of intense negotiations — some involving the White House — the two sides agreed early Friday to fund most parts of the Homeland Security Department except for ICE and parts of CBP.—
Kevin Freking,
Fortune,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Apple deals this good are super rare, so don't miss out!—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
2 Apr. 2026
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This was a concern after the club dealt away Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil, and let Pete Alonso walk down to Baltimore over the winter.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Collective processes involve tiring negotiations, frequent conflicts, and disappointing compromises, both internally among the team and with external interlocutors and partners.—
Adam Szymczyk,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
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After consecutive years of other legislation that sought an outright repeal of the Medicaid expansion over rising expense to taxpayers, the work requirements bill was branded a compromise to rein in costs.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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It’s believed that the list of teams that get competitive balance picks is collectively bargained.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
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The military buildup gives the president optionality, not just to strike, but to bargain from strength, Cohen noted.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Who is eligible for Epstein settlement money?—
Chase Jordan,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
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The Kansas River is named for the Kansa or Kaw people who lived in the region at the time of European settlement.—
Elijah Winkler,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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China and Russia’s Arctic alignment began with the signing of a memorandum of understanding in April 2023, with the two countries’ Coast Guards working in tandem to carve out a trade route.—
Lori Ann LaRocco,
CNBC,
28 Mar. 2026
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Some without formal medical diagnoses may seek psychedelic experiences for personal or spiritual growth or existential understanding.—
Natalia V. Osipova,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Taxpayers generally foot a substantial portion of the bill, and owners reap the revenue from ticket sales, concessions, and stadium naming rights.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
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There will be concessions, lights, speakers, two goals, four corner flags.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Horse-trade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horse-trade. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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