finagle

fi·na·gle

verb \fə-ˈnā-gəl\

fi·na·gledfi·na·gling\-g(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of FINAGLE

transitive verb

1

: to obtain by indirect or involved means <finagle a ride home>

2

: to obtain by trickery <finagled his way into the concert>

intransitive verb

: to use devious or dishonest methods to achieve one's ends

— fi·na·gler \-g(ə-)lər\ noun

Examples of FINAGLE

1. A con man finagled my neighbor out of four hundred dollars.
2. <let me look at my schedule and see if I can't finagle a visit to the museum>

Origin of FINAGLE

perhaps alteration of fainaigue to renege

First Known Use: circa 1924

Related to FINAGLE

Synonyms: contrive, engineer, finesse, frame, machinate, maneuver, manipulate, mastermind, negotiate, wangle

Related Words: arrange, concert, conclude, hammer out, work out; angle (for), compass, intrigue, plot, scheme; connive; brew, concoct, cook (up), hatch; captain, command, conduct, direct, handle, manage, quarterback, run; gerrymander

Near Antonyms: blow, bobble, botch, bungle, butcher, flub, fumble, gum (up), louse up, mangle, mess (up), mishandle, muff

see all synonyms and antonyms

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