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
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2025
His energy, vision and finesse has made a mark acknowledged around the globe.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2025
Instead of spending hours polishing, buffing and finessing the exterior to look shipshape, the crew can focus on enhancing the guest experience or supporting any scientific research happening on board.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for finesse
Noun
But there is one exception, a scene whose dramatic importance is reflected in a startling inventiveness of composition, and whose stylistic finesse provides a clue about where Aster’s emotional investment lies.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2025
His energy, vision and finesse has made a mark acknowledged around the globe.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
Language was finessed in other ways, too.
—Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2025
Instead of spending hours polishing, buffing and finessing the exterior to look shipshape, the crew can focus on enhancing the guest experience or supporting any scientific research happening on board.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for finesse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for finesse
Noun
-
The ability to generate mid-infrared light efficiently could also open new frontiers in chemical and environmental analysis.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
-
And only recently, new large language models in artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT, promise to greatly expand our ability to manipulate and employ enormous quantities of data.—
Alan Lightman
September 12,
Literary Hub,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Its Office for Civil Rights investigates allegations at schools and negotiates corrective actions.—
Fred Clasen-Kelly,
ABC News,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Looking forward, 185 countries are negotiating a global plastics treaty aimed at ending plastic pollution by 2040, and to promote a closed loop approach, phasing out unnecessary plastics and encouraging the use of sustainable alternatives.—
Forbes.com,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The discovery adds a new dimension to understanding cancer and therapy resistance, where cells often evade treatment by shifting states.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Sep. 2025
-
But Moscow has found ways to evade these.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
At one point, though, Army found out about Kremser’s soccer prowess.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Without any fighting game prowess, a player can land a cinematic ultimate move practically by accident.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
When writers see and manipulate structure, words become poetry.—
Rebecca Coffey,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Cyrus was quick to defend herself, implying her words had been manipulated by the Times.—
Kate Hogan,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
However, by sharing so much of Lisa's code, the interface practically demanded a pointing device, and the mouse was selected, even though Raskin had so carefully tried to avoid it.—
Cameron Kaiser,
ArsTechnica,
12 Sep. 2025
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These writers will work under the latest Public Television Freelance Agreement, which the WGA East ratified in December after a lengthy and sometimes contentious negotiation cycle with PBS, narrowly avoiding a strike.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The festival also features art vendors, local talent, food trucks and, for kids, face painting, bubbles and bouncy houses.—
Eric E. Harrison,
Arkansas Online,
11 Sep. 2025
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However, specifically in Denver during his lone season there, the Broncos had notable talent in front of the young players in his stable.—
Mike Kaye
September 10,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Laura is able to shove Cherry hard enough to pry Daniel away from her and lock her in the room, but Cherry jumps out of the balcony, sacrificing her ankle, and maneuvers herself back into the house.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
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Macron's opponents seized on the turmoil to press for a fresh legislative election, demand the president's resignation, or maneuver for influence in a potential new government.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Finesse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finesse. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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