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
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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
-
Posey seems to want to pass this off as prudence.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Having both adequate owners’ capital against insolvency and deposit reserves against illiquidity were voluntary prudence early in this historical evolution.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And in all matters large and small, progressives could substitute their own wisdom for the wisdom of God.—
Chris Roemer,
Baltimore Sun,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The event will focus on wisdom and wellness, featuring engaging speakers, meaningful conversations, and breathtaking coastal views paired with exceptional cuisine, according to a news release.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Much of the crowd has–or knows someone who has, contributed to the sense of community that permeates the space.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
-
As a three-term Mecklenburg County commissioner, my daily concern is delivering common-sense solutions to our problems as efficiently as possible to keep the tax rate low.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Treating a vape pen the same as heroin is a failure of common sense.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
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The pledge was to slash regulations that stifle jobs, freedom and innovation, and that make everything more expensive, while restoring transparency and common sense to federal rulemaking.—
Roslyn Layton,
Boston Herald,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The film invites viewers to experience the rhythm, drama, and intimacy of life at the edge of the world, revealing that in the coldest corners of the earth one finds the warmest people, brimming with wit, resilience, and generosity.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
17 Feb. 2026
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Her collection of speculative essays, Stranger Faces, a 2020 National Book Critics Circle criticism finalist, showcases her wry wit and wide range of cultural interests, from Derrida to Keanu Reeves.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Much of that instability was triggered by the battle between Thaksin and his allies, versus Thailand’s conservative establishment, a small but powerful network of military, royalist, and business elites threatened by his populist policies.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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Showcasing industrial policy Beijing utilized the gala to highlight its strategic focus on the robotics sector.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Horse sense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horse%20sense. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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