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
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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
-
Peace proposals are usually negotiated behind closed doors; threats are seldom made publicly.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
12 May 2026
-
That expiration would allow Iran to resume some nuclear activities, as in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal negotiated under President Barack Obama.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Kerr has reached an agreement in principle on a two-year contract to continue coaching the Warriors, according to a person with knowledge of the negotiations.—
Janie McCauley,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
-
The Taurus Sun forms a supportive sextile to Jupiter in your 3rd House of Communication, giving negotiations, outreach, and practical discussions unusual traction.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
No, the Heat shouldn’t be looking to deal Adebayo before trying another year to find a genuine, All-NBA leading man.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
7 May 2026
-
The blockade has dealt a blow to Iran’s energy exports, which are critical to its economy that had already been flagging before the war.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Yet after a strong backlash, particularly at recent home games, Liverpool have on Thursday confirmed a compromise.—
Gregg Evans,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
-
But the median voter isn’t exactly baying for moderation and compromise.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
The nurses have been bargaining with the hospital for more than a year, according to the union, and have faced multiple unfair labor practices against union supporters.—
Anthony Bettin,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
-
Unions representing eligible employees would first have to bargain with the state to include this program in a contract.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday that Moscow’s proposal to take enriched uranium from Iran to help negotiate a settlement remains on the table.—
Jon Gambrell,
Fortune,
10 May 2026
-
Ugarte previously agreed to a $25,000 settlement with the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission over failing to disclose outside income earned through his consulting firm while serving as a City Hall aide to Price.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
In the letters that Wilson collected, there are countless appeals to God, prayers for help and understanding and prayers of thanksgiving for strength and mercy.—
Casey Cep,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
-
In some cases, scientists have a minimal understanding of those regional species.—
Allison Kiehl,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Officials also constructed new restrooms and concession stands.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 May 2026
-
Available at all concession bars.—
Henri Hollis,
AJC.com,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Horse-trade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horse-trade. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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