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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Example Sentences
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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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This has given the conflict a religious coloration, and political elites have also chosen to politicize the conflict to negotiate power and other interests, which has complicated the problem.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
One head of a negotiating delegation told CNN they were being charged more than $20,000 for two weeks in a three-bedroom apartment.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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His resignation comes after last month's trial in which inflammatory texts Phelps sent during contentious revenue-sharing negotiations were revealed.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Oman played an instrumental role in the back-channel negotiations between Iran, the United States, and Europe that led to the Iran nuclear deal in 2015.—
Galip Dalay,
Time,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That came after Gardner, who had just signed a four-year extension this offseason, was dealt to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for two first-round picks.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Despite the new contract, there is still a chance that the Red Sox could deal the 29-year-old in a trade this winter to clear up their logjam in the outfield.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The government reopened after Republican lawmakers accepted a compromise that Clinton suggested.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
-
That versatility allows every fashion lover to preserve the quality and story of their favorite finds without compromise.—
Essence,
Essence,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Players’ associations could argue such a policy interferes with athletes’ freedom to contract and must be collectively bargained as a condition of employment.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
5 Jan. 2026
-
The announcement comes after resort ownership and its patrollers union, which have been bargaining since June, reached an impasse in negotiations.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
24 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Since the jury decision in 2022, the township has been accruing interest on the unpaid settlement.—
Laura A. Bischoff,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Since January 2024, JCPS attorneys have reached settlements in more than 40 lawsuits, with the district agreeing to nearly $14 million in payments.—
Ray Padilla,
Louisville Courier Journal,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Spirit, energy and enthusiasm When there were loud external calls for upgrades at safety in August, head coach Dave Canales firmly backed Scott because of his leadership and understanding of the defense.—
Mike Kaye
January 8,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Tensor said the system emphasizes contextual understanding rather than simple object detection, allowing the AI to adapt to complex and unpredictable real-world driving conditions.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Democrats are not ready to cave to GOP pressure to reopen the government without more assurances on health insurance subsidies, and Republicans are not opening the door to further concessions.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
7 Nov. 2025
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Despite all this, YouTube TV continues to insist on receiving preferential terms that are below market and has made few concessions.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Horse-trade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horse-trade. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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