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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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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But stocks were buoyed by reports that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was willing to negotiate.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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There were no mass demonstrations by the Iranian people against the regime, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps continued to fight even more ferociously, and Khamenei’s death did nothing to bring Iran’s negotiating position onto a more reasonable plane.—
Daniel DePetris,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The union and workers agreed to return to work after the company agreed to return for two days of face-to-face contract negotiations beginning April 9.—
Logan Smith,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
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In a Saturday news release, UFCW Local 7 President Kim Cordova said JBS agreed to meet on Thursday and Friday to resume negotiations.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Apple deals this good are super rare, so don't miss out!—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
2 Apr. 2026
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This was a concern after the club dealt away Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil, and let Pete Alonso walk down to Baltimore over the winter.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Collective processes involve tiring negotiations, frequent conflicts, and disappointing compromises, both internally among the team and with external interlocutors and partners.—
Adam Szymczyk,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
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After consecutive years of other legislation that sought an outright repeal of the Medicaid expansion over rising expense to taxpayers, the work requirements bill was branded a compromise to rein in costs.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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It’s believed that the list of teams that get competitive balance picks is collectively bargained.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
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The military buildup gives the president optionality, not just to strike, but to bargain from strength, Cohen noted.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Who is eligible for Epstein settlement money?—
Chase Jordan,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
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The Kansas River is named for the Kansa or Kaw people who lived in the region at the time of European settlement.—
Elijah Winkler,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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For the Supreme Court to do so would require it to repudiate the Constitution’s text, the Court’s own precedents, and the enduring understanding of all three branches and of the American people.—
David Cole,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
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Law enforcement who responded to the scene of the crisis like Jeff Boyes, a SWAT team member and sniper, operated with a similar initial understanding.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The island’s new lobster concession holder — the previous company held exclusive fishing rights for 30 years — plans to introduce a larger vessel with more berths and cargo space, making travel easier for residents and opening Tristan to more tourism and economic opportunities.—
NPR,
NPR,
4 Apr. 2026
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The exception might make sense in response to some concession, from either Russia or Cuba, but no such reason has been given.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Horse-trade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horse-trade. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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