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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of finesse
Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 28 Dec. 2024
Still, Headland handles some threads with more finesse than others.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Dec. 2024
Max Gao, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Dec. 2024
Congress could try to finesse the targets by phasing out some tax cuts, at least on paper.
—Howard Gleckman, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for finesse 
Noun
Sabalenka has added finesse and craft to her brutal power in recent months, with Swiatek starting to do the same under Fissette’s guidance.
—Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 28 Dec. 2024
Still, Headland handles some threads with more finesse than others.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
The writers were great, but you guys also finessed everything perfectly.
—Max Gao, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Dec. 2024
Congress could try to finesse the targets by phasing out some tax cuts, at least on paper.
—Howard Gleckman, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for finesse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for finesse
Noun
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Prime Video added more this season with pressure alerts, defensive vulnerabilities, and the ability to identify if a team is in man or zone coverage.Joe Reedy, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
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This achievement also highlights their ability to adapt and evolve, continually raising the bar in the competitive tourism landscape.Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The labor action sprang up almost a month ago at the height of the Christmas package delivery season, with workers at Amazon facilities dotted across the country picketing for better wages, benefits, and working conditions, and a demand that Amazon negotiate with them on a contract.Matthew Carey, Deadline, 13 Jan. 2025
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In 2022, the Israeli parliamentarian Naftali Bennett recalled negotiating with Netanyahu after a recent election failed to yield a clear winner.Ruth Margalit, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Some, their principles unbreakable, have to live their philosophy, not just to get to the core of it but to evade the accusation of hypocrisy.Emily Zarevich, JSTOR Daily, 11 Jan. 2025
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More than 180 oil-carrying vessels that are suspected to be part of a shadow fleet utilized by the Kremlin to evade oil sanctions as well as traders, oil field service firms and Russian energy officials are also targeted by the new sanctions.AAMER MADHANI THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, arkansasonline.com, 11 Jan. 2025
Noun
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As mentioned above, Doughty is still good for 50 points even well into his thirties, and a lot of that is via his prowess on the power play.Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
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While Chile’s extreme south draws visitors thanks to pristine parks like Torres del Paine and Bernardo O'Higgins, Puerto Varas serves as a shining example of central Chile’s prowess within the realm of tourism.Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The raptors’ behavior underscores the complex relationship between fire and wildlife, revealing how some species adapt and even manipulate their surroundings to thrive.Scott Travers, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
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China can gather data on Americans or manipulate the content on TikTok to shape U.S. opinion, the government argues.Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Expert instructors will teach you how to get started, practical uses, tips for effective prompt-writing, and mistakes to avoid.Jeremy Schifeling, Contributor, CNBC, 13 Jan. 2025
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Remember to keep a thorough record of your communication in writing to avoid any misunderstandings.Christopher Elliott The Travel Troubleshooter, Sun Sentinel, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is one of only a handful of Historically Black Colleges and Universities included in a program from global biopharmaceutical company Bristol Myers Squibb that aims to help diverse talent succeed in the biopharma industry.Ryan Anderson, arkansasonline.com, 12 Jan. 2025
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By adopting these trends, CEOs can cultivate healthier, happier, and more productive workforces, gain a competitive edge in talent acquisition, and ultimately drive better business outcomes.Julian Hayes II, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Another shared that the controls were easier to maneuver than their Fire TV Stick.Alyssa Brascia, People.com, 11 Jan. 2025
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Analysts said that the war had left Hezbollah little room to maneuver politically.Dayana Iwaza, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near finesse
Cite this Entry
“Finesse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finesse. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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