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
-
But general-education courses play a pivotal role in a department’s ability to recruit potential majors, pull in tuition revenue and negotiate hiring additional faculty.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
10 Mar. 2026
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Leagues and players’ associations negotiate workplace rules, and those agreements are exempt from antitrust scrutiny.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The game went on despite ongoing negotiations between the USL Players Association and the league, which have not reached new collective bargaining agreement with the last agreement expiring at the end of 2025.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
8 Mar. 2026
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With Mack under contract, re-signing Oweh becomes a clear priority for Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz ahead of the free-agent negotiation period beginning Monday.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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No serious injuries were reported, but the extent of the fire shook residents of the north, who have repeatedly been told by their leaders that Hezbollah was dealt a devastating blow in 2024 during its last war with Israel.—
Natalie Melzer,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
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Just three days later, his time in Green Bay would officially come to and end, as the Packers dealt him to the Cowboys in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The assurance of being yourself and being liked, fulfilling your purpose while climbing life’s rungs, has obvious appeal in youth, before compromises and obligations start to pile too high.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
11 Mar. 2026
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Some hereditary members will be converted to life peers under a last-minute compromise, extending the transition through spring 2026.—
Jill Lawless,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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One potential—though untested—workaround would be for conferences, which are private entities, to serve as a joint employer that bargains with a players’ union.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
10 Mar. 2026
-
If the companies want stability, that can always be achieved by being willing to bargain and address the very real concerns of writers.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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If a settlement agreement is reached, that could pause a trial that started in New York last week and is slated to continue for several more weeks.—
Josh Sisco,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
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The West Coast community was once the site of a gold-mining settlement—there's even a miner's cemetery there—but today it's prized for its golden sunsets.—
Madeline Bilis,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Yes, real syrup is a bit pricer, but seeing the process gives a greater appreciation for and understanding of this slice of flavorful Americana.—
Jennifer Prince,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
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Ideally, your friends will express their understanding and respect your wishes.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Denver Post,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Tee Pee Drive-In, also near Tulsa, has been lovingly restored by new owners, who added a chrome concession truck serving foot-long corn dogs and strawberry-blonde cocktails.—
Zoey Goto,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
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Panama Ports Company operated the two ports since 1997 and had only renewed its concession in 2021 for another 25 years.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Horse-trade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horse-trade. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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