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
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
Justices horse trade and revise for months on major cases, though they’re not known for flipping sides.
—Dallas News, 3 May 2022
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
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
Verb
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
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
Justices horse trade and revise for months on major cases, though they’re not known for flipping sides.
—Dallas News, 3 May 2022
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
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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Instead, there’s more public bickering and negotiating.—
Matt Hayes,
The Tennessean,
11 July 2025
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After putting together a career-best season, Norman Powell expected to negotiate a contract extension with the Los Angeles Clippers.—
Ivan Carter,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 July 2025
Noun
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The two sides would also begin negotiations on a lasting ceasefire.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
12 July 2025
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Topline President Donald Trump announced Saturday his administration is imposing 30% tariffs on imports from the European Union and Mexico, hiking up the tariff rate for two of the U.S.’s biggest trading partners despite lengthy negotiations.—
Alison Durkee,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
Verb
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As for the second-round picks dealt, each previously was gained in trades, one from the Max Strus sign-and-trade transaction with the Cleveland Cavaliers, one from last season’s trade of Thomas Bryant to the Indiana Pacers.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
12 July 2025
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Update: This article was updated on July 11, 2025 to note that Ferrero and its affiliates have acquired at least 21 companies in 9 countries since 2015, with eight deals in the U.S. since 2017 before the WK Kellogg deal.—
Giacomo Tognini,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Noun
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An eventual compromise and return to the Warriors also remains very much on the table, league sources said, considering the market dynamics at play.—
Anthony Slater,
New York Times,
4 July 2025
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No show pushed my buttons more than Sam Esmail’s thriller about the moral compromises and systemic injustices of our times.—
Lauren Huff,
EW.com,
4 July 2025
Verb
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According to the outlet, Diana was known to use her getaway during the last year of her life to bargain with paparazzi, who were eager to take photos of her in stylish swimsuits.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
13 July 2025
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Whether Drescher or someone else, the person leading the guild next year will have a herculean task ahead of them as SAG-AFTRA returns to the negotiating table with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which collectively bargains on behalf of the major Hollywood studios.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
11 July 2025
Noun
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Tempe City Council approved the $2.1 million settlement on July 1.—
Corina Vanek,
AZCentral.com,
4 July 2025
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The two came to an agreement by the following day and announced Ventura Fine would dismiss the lawsuit following an unspecified settlement.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
4 July 2025
Noun
-
Our sight has to be informed with a broader understanding of context, history, and the individual.—
Will Potter
July 7,
Literary Hub,
7 July 2025
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And since then, the North Koreans have gained crucial battlefield experience and understanding of how to engage in electronic warfare.—
Natasha Lindstaedt,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
Noun
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Administration officials declared that other countries were desperate to make concessions to avoid the massive import taxes – tariffs — that Trump was threatening to plaster on their products starting July 9.—
Paul Wiseman,
Chicago Tribune,
9 July 2025
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All points of sale, including the box office, parking, and concessions, will only accept credit cards.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Horse trade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horse%20trade. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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