1
as in to negotiate
to plan out usually with subtle skill or care
let me look at my schedule and see if I can't finagle a visit to the museum
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to cheat
to use dishonest methods to achieve a goal
she'll finagle until she gets exactly what she wants
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of finagle
The suction is strong enough to suck up anything that might finagle its way into your car, including dirt, sand, dust, pet hair, and crumbs.
—
Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 12 Apr. 2026
For years, job hoppers could finagle higher pay in new roles.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
This period comedy set in England in the 1930s stars Ben Radcliffe as a thief who swindles his way into a hall boy position at posh Fackham Hall, only to hook up with the daughter of the house and finagle his way into a position of privilege.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 6 Mar. 2026
Riders who might like more oomph aboard Galacticoaster should finagle seats on the back row, which experiences a touch more whip action.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for finagle
Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 12 Apr. 2026
For years, job hoppers could finagle higher pay in new roles.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
This period comedy set in England in the 1930s stars Ben Radcliffe as a thief who swindles his way into a hall boy position at posh Fackham Hall, only to hook up with the daughter of the house and finagle his way into a position of privilege.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 6 Mar. 2026
Riders who might like more oomph aboard Galacticoaster should finagle seats on the back row, which experiences a touch more whip action.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for finagle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for finagle
Verb
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Mamdani negotiated 1,000 affordable tickets from FIFA at $50 each, with free round-trip transportation, for New Yorkers who won a lottery.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
9 June 2026
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After submitting an internet bill for review, Rocket Money successfully negotiated a lower monthly rate, reducing the cost from $90 to $50 per month.—
Nick Perry,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Verb
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With no one coming to save him, Santi learned to save himself — cheating cards, running schemes, talking his way into and out of everything.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
8 June 2026
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People are robbed, assaulted and cheated.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 June 2026
Verb
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Police in Las Vegas arranged for him to be arrested and then extradited to California, Clark said.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
5 June 2026
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Nearby, the Rum Vault is a small room stashed with bottles and bottles of the spirit, arranged like a library according to the producing region.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
Verb
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That echoes findings of a delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, which visited Yerevan in May and said foreign interference included illicit political financing, cyberattacks, economic coercion and direct attempts to manipulate the electoral process.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 June 2026
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The number then becomes harder to interpret and easier to manipulate.—
James Broughel,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Finagle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finagle. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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