as in ability
mental skill or quickness
maneuvered his opponent into checkmate with his customary finesse
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to negotiate
to plan out usually with subtle skill or care
had to finesse the schedule a bit to fit in another patient that afternoon
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to evade
to get or keep away from (as a responsibility) through cleverness or trickery
tried to finesse the blame for the foreign policy fiasco, even though he was secretary of state at the time
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of finesse
William Lambers, Newsweek, 8 Mar. 2025
Gone are the tedious, cat and mouse 30-dink rallies of 2023 and 2024; 2025 and these pairs are pedal-to-the-medal, attack at will, power before finesse, and in this observer’s opinion, the watch-ability and televise-ability is improved for it.
—Todd Boss, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
CBS News, 17 Jan. 2025
Yet, in the last few years, an increasing number of younger people have been seeking out the surgery — not as an anti-aging method but to finesse their features, having grown up in an extremely digital world where their physical appearances are constantly on show.
—Leah Dolan, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for finesse
Noun
The finesse in the blacksmithing minigame is great, but so little of it is explained, with the tutorials not covering what most of the button prompts actually do.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 8 Mar. 2025
Gone are the tedious, cat and mouse 30-dink rallies of 2023 and 2024; 2025 and these pairs are pedal-to-the-medal, attack at will, power before finesse, and in this observer’s opinion, the watch-ability and televise-ability is improved for it.
—Todd Boss, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
Concerned that six-year-old Frank would feel like an outcast in overwhelmingly white Luxembourg, Perle finessed the paperwork on behalf of Army lieutenant colonel Bert Cumby and his wife.
—CBS News, 17 Jan. 2025
Yet, in the last few years, an increasing number of younger people have been seeking out the surgery — not as an anti-aging method but to finesse their features, having grown up in an extremely digital world where their physical appearances are constantly on show.
—Leah Dolan, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for finesse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for finesse
Noun
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At the heart of that debate is a nearly century-old legal precedent: Humphrey’s Executor v. United States, a 1935 Supreme Court ruling that limited the President’s ability to remove leaders of independent agencies without cause.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
17 Apr. 2025
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Biden's four years in office were marred with gaffes that resulted in some scrutiny regarding his mental fitness and ability to serve a second term.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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His special envoy to Ukraine set a goal of negotiating an agreement even quicker during the first 100 days of Trump's term.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
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The European Commission, the EU’s executive branch, negotiates trade deals on behalf of all 27 member states.—
Shannon Carroll,
Quartz,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Security scrutinized: Suspect eluded officers protecting Shapiro Balmer started fires while troopers searched Troopers were able to safely evacuate Shapiro's family and others in the mansion, but the fire raises the question of how Balmer was able to evade security.—
John Bacon,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2025
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Most of these are fine goals, and some (such as finally terminating the university’s efforts to evade a Supreme Court–ordered end to its use of race discrimination in admissions) ought to be uncontroversial.—
The Editors,
National Review,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
With the aggression and height of Wendie Renard on the backline and the goal-scoring prowess of Kadidiatou Diani up front, can the French combine their talents and shoot for more this time around?—
Julia Ranney,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
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This investment in financial technology and digital prowess was a common theme among the 385 financial institutions that made this year’s list of the World’s Best Banks.—
Haniya Rae,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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It could be manipulated by the therapist or simply placed in the correct position by the individual.—
Matt Parrott,
Arkansas Online,
20 Apr. 2025
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This is not a new accusation and in the past Fauci and the paper authors disagreed with the accusations that the paper was manipulated or had any specific goal.—
Youri Benadjaoud,
ABC News,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Get to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and avoid windows.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Apr. 2025
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Houston threw numbers behind the ball for most of the game to avoid getting hit by the deadly counterattacks and transitions KC has been known for.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
20 Apr. 2025
Noun
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And while there’s some individual talent throughout the roster, the team hasn’t won anything with this core.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
19 Apr. 2025
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But Matt Lyons, CPS’ chief talent officer from 2015 to 2021, who oversaw similar discipline conversations with previous boards, said the decision to reinstate the cook seemed unusual.—
Nell Salzman,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The slim, lightweight gadget is easy to maneuver around the house since it isn’t tethered to a wire.—
Clara McMahon,
People.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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The press headlines reflect this divide and as Iranian and American negotiators prepare to meet, the tone of coverage could shape public opinion and signal how much political room Iran's government has to maneuver.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Finesse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finesse. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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