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
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
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
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Navigating Political and Ethical Considerations of the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve By embracing bitcoin as a vital national reserve asset, the United States positions itself at the forefront of economic innovation, fiscal prudence, and visionary thinking.—
Dave Birnbaum,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
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What critics of interventionism have historically sought is prudence in foreign affairs – avoiding unnecessary wars while ensuring the protection of core national interests.—
Andrew Latham,
The Conversation,
3 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Their blueprint—proximity to problems, building a long-term approach, hope-building, erasing the self, and welcoming change—offers wisdom for addressing challenges from corporate boardrooms to community organizations.—
Tarun Galagali,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
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Cass Goodner, in his wisdom, did not share their enthusiasm.—
Frank C. Hibben,
Outdoor Life,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Kirsch said the shooting didn’t just shatter the sense of safety and security locally.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2025
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But there is the sense that what's happening is bigger than both of them.—
Jake Kring-Schreifels,
TIME,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The Trump Administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
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Employees would have to use common sense and their own best judgement when making decisions, and that is not something they are trusted to do.—
Chris Roemer,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Black Bag succeeds on its chilly wit, and on the cool, nervy appeal of its two stars.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
TIME,
6 Mar. 2025
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Max Homa, the six-time PGA Tour winner known for his razor-sharp wit and clutch performances on the course, has been going through a tough time lately.—
Russel Honoré,
Newsweek,
6 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The tight widescreen framing and shaky handheld shooting style amplify the stress of a situation that’s all the more potent for not trying to pin a happy ending on such an upsetting policy.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
2 Mar. 2025
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This is the first vacuum where have a president who, at least in the short term, does not care if his policies knock down stock prices while the Fed is distinctly on hold because of inflationary fears.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
2 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Horse sense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horse%20sense. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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