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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
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
-
Posey seems to want to pass this off as prudence.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The simple strategy that spawned the Aflac duck The experiences that a long-serving CEO accumulates bring wisdom, Amos says.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
6 Mar. 2026
-
There was appreciation and gratitude for the opportunity, as well as the wisdom and words, that Holtz provided to them during their lives, but it was muddied by his support of a political figure so many passionately opposed, and/or despised.—
Mac Engel
March 5,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The couple said their now 15-year-old daughter is slowly rebuilding her sense of safety.—
Faith Karimi,
CNN Money,
1 Mar. 2026
-
And there’s a sense of urgency that people feel to get back into life, do things right, and be more present.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Today maintenance recommendations are based on the electronic calculation of the Maintenance Minder and maybe a little common sense thrown in for good measure.—
Hartford Courant,
Hartford Courant,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The agency's current director said decisions will come down to common sense, reaffirming a commitment to reducing regulatory hurdles while continuing to balance patient safety.—
Karen Morfitt,
CBS News,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Gavalas was a normal guy, Edelson said – a golfer, a funny person with a sarcastic wit, a video gamer.—
Brittany Wallman
Updated March 4,
Miami Herald,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The trailer opens with Hal jumping out of a moving car, leaving John flying off a cliff, relying on his quick wits and Green Lantern powers to save himself.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The policy is not fully in effect either.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Mar. 2026
-
These policies are generally more expensive and come with caveats, such as limits on how much money can be reimbursed and when a traveler can cancel.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Horse sense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horse%20sense. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
