as in ability
mental skill or quickness
maneuvered his opponent into checkmate with his customary finesse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of finesse
Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025
This 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon has the elegance and finesse of a fine Cab from Bordeaux with aromas of black cherry, boysenberry, and powdered cocoa and flavors of cassis, graphite, and cigar box.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 9 Jan. 2025
Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 6 Jan. 2025
Many times, the teams that can lead a company to a successful public listing are not the ones best equipped to finesse the delicate relationship with equity research analysts.
—Ilona Limonta-Volkova, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for finesse 
Noun
Sonego can be a dangerous opponent who has had a fine career, with touch and finesse and an eye for the artful as well as some punishing groundstrokes.
—Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025
This 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon has the elegance and finesse of a fine Cab from Bordeaux with aromas of black cherry, boysenberry, and powdered cocoa and flavors of cassis, graphite, and cigar box.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
Sources familiar with the matter told the Post that Trump aides have been working to finesse the plan in recent weeks by focusing in on several key sectors.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 6 Jan. 2025
Many times, the teams that can lead a company to a successful public listing are not the ones best equipped to finesse the delicate relationship with equity research analysts.
—Ilona Limonta-Volkova, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for finesse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for finesse
Noun
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While moving Chisolm back to second would seem to be an improvement, the problem is not as much his fielding ability as his availability.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
17 Feb. 2025
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The longtime Democrat is known for his ability to win in a conservative-leaning district.—
Megan Stringer,
Axios,
16 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Top diplomats from the U.S. and Russia met in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to discuss how to improve relations and negotiate an end to the war, without any Ukrainian officials present at the meeting.—
Austin Denean,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Feb. 2025
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Teams are allowed to contact and negotiate potential contracts with agents of players on expiring contracts.—
Jim Reineking,
USA TODAY,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Cut to the two men brawling in the bowels of a derelict ship in the Miami port, where Spencer has imprisoned and ultimately attempts to drown his son to evade capture.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2025
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After Shark Attack on Bahamas Vacation, the Victims, 1 with 'Shredded' Foot, Speak Out In the actual video, Wells also apologized for his expletive-laden reaction while still attempting to evade the predator.—
Abigail Adams,
People.com,
13 Feb. 2025
Noun
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As for Rodriguez, many sports fans know him due to his prowess on the baseball field.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
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For all her prowess, Yeoh hasn’t been able to make the character Philippa Georgiou work.—
Angelica Jade Bastién,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The 18-episode season made Laura’s death feel almost world-historic, peeling back the layers to reveal a grand, mythological evil manipulating events into shape.—
K. Austin Collins,
The Atlantic,
7 Feb. 2025
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The content is manipulated to appeal to potential lone-wolf recruits in the U.S. to start retribution against Israel's supporters in the U.S., particularly the Jewish community.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In a post on X, the NYPD asked people to avoid the area as the investigation proceeded.—
Elizabeth Keogh,
New York Daily News,
19 Feb. 2025
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However, Thompson noted that some movement each day is necessary to avoid tiredness.—
Julianna Bragg,
CNN,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Continuing its tradition of highlighting dynamic emerging talent, GloRilla, fresh off the success of her album Glorious, will bring her high-energy to Philadelphia.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
17 Feb. 2025
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Keep all of the best goodies off limits, on the other hand, and the Leafs will be limited to acquiring the same kind of marginal talent — third- and fourth-liners, third-pairing defencemen — as last spring.—
Jonas Siegel,
The Athletic,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Michelle Wu is maneuvering to take away major issues from mayoral rival Josh Kraft as the son of Patriots owner Robert Kraft struggles to break through in the early days of his campaign.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
15 Feb. 2025
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This makes a world of difference when cooking, as maneuvering the pan around the cooktop or transferring it into the oven is a lot easier to do with one hand.—
Wilder Davies,
Bon Appétit,
14 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near finesse
Cite this Entry
“Finesse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finesse. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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