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
-
The district decided to purchase fewer buses this year and opted not to give teachers a raise, negotiating a one-time bonus instead.—
Carley Lanich,
IndyStar,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The English language distribution rights are still being negotiated.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Nonetheless, a second round of negotiations will be held on Tuesday in Geneva, according to multiple reports.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The Danish territory got no mentions in the speech, as negotiations over its fate proceed slowly.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
And there was smoke to that fire, with ESPN reporting that if Giannis is not dealt, he might be held out the balance of the season to enhance the Bucks’ lottery position.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The Golden State Warriors found their dependable big man by acquiring Kristaps Porzingis from Atlanta and granted forward Jonathan Kuminga his wish to be traded while also dealing guard Buddy Hield to the Hawks, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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However, Epson’s answer is that this isn’t a shortcut or a compromise.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
11 Feb. 2026
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Putting an arena — even a world-class one — atop the nation’s busiest train station required numerous compromises.—
Robert Yaro,
New York Daily News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The United Auto Workers union has reached a tentative agreement in Chattanooga, Tennessee, signaling what may be the end of a long and drawn-out negotiation period as the union and Volkswagen bargained over the first contract at the plant.—
Liam Rappleye,
Freep.com,
5 Feb. 2026
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With trust, members can bargain in smaller coalitions—and, with hard work, engage in durable policy-making.—
Hayleigh Colombo,
IndyStar,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In recent months, Israel has greatly expanded construction in Jewish settlements, legalized outposts and made significant bureaucratic changes to its policies in the territory to strengthen its hold and weaken the Palestinian Authority.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
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The company has been negotiating a settlement, opposed by Slater, to avoid a trial that could break it up along the lines of its 2010 merger.—
Rohan Goswami,
semafor.com,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
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This greatly improved the meetings that both boards have regarding our budget discussions and has lead to a better understanding between the two bodies.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Feb. 2026
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Levine did not have concerns while making the movie but has developed a fuller understanding of the trans experience in the ensuing decades.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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On Saturday, World Curling’s concession to move two officials between the four sheets resulted in, at one point, one official watching the Canadians against Switzerland, with his back turned to US-Germany, and another eyeing up Sweden-China, with her back to Great Britain and the Czech Republic.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
14 Feb. 2026
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The 11-acre park will feature rides, attractions, concessions and a welcome center.—
Kendrick Calfee
February 14,
Kansas City Star,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Horse-trade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horse-trade. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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