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
Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 21 Sep. 2025
Nowadays, the best futons have a bit more finesse than a basic frame with a mattress topper that folds into a couch like a taco.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 19 Sep. 2025
PC Magazine, 14 Sep. 2025
But respect to Doja for finessing the fine points.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for finesse
Noun
Chef Duane Nutter spruced up this must-have Southern side dish with the same flair and finesse that earned the attention of the James Beard Foundation no fewer than seven times.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 21 Sep. 2025
Nowadays, the best futons have a bit more finesse than a basic frame with a mattress topper that folds into a couch like a taco.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
In traditional builds, this allows your PCI Express cards to be inserted straight down into the slot, rather than tilting the card and finessing its bracket through a rear-panel hole.
—PC Magazine, 14 Sep. 2025
But respect to Doja for finessing the fine points.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for finesse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for finesse
Noun
-
The video player page includes a description, links to similar content, and the ability to give a film a thumbs up or thumbs down.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
4 Oct. 2025
-
He was being put through training recently to test his ability to stay calm under pressure as Douglas tried to overstimulate his senses.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Democrats are also trying to pin the shutdown on Republicans, blaming Trump for not negotiating in good faith.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
-
During his campaign, Pacheco touted the board’s efforts to reduce drug costs for members by negotiating new agreements with healthcare companies.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Slimy Lunch Meats Lunch meats are one of those things that often evade clean-outs.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
30 Sep. 2025
-
But when the Coast Guard approached on a 45-foot response boat, authorities said, the cuddy cabin boat began racing south to evade arrest.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Perhaps, for example, someone such as Sharp might be best suited reviewing power-play shifts with a scoring winger, considering his prowess in that area of the game as a player.—
Kevin Kurz,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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Known for his attention to detail and curatorial prowess, Nahem enlisted an army of artists and craftspeople to infuse every corner of the 3,700-square-foot space with creative flair.—
Mark David,
Robb Report,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Julie asked Jimmy Heagerty about where things stood with Mickey Lee, and Jimmy said Morgan did a great job manipulating Mickey into sending him home.—
David Wysong,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
29 Sep. 2025
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With its flexible solvers, Newton allows developers to simulate complex, real-world tasks ranging from walking on snow and gravel to manipulating fragile objects like cups and fruit.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Refrain from entering water that may have electricity in it and avoid walking through floodwaters.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 Oct. 2025
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Engelbert said Friday that the league and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association continue to meet and negotiate with the hopes of avoiding a work stoppage.—
Kevin Dotson,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In all of these places, the broad availability of talent—whether as founders, knowledge workers, or highly skilled blue-collar workers—is viewed as one core element of the corporate ecosystem’s success.—
Peter Vanham,
Fortune,
2 Oct. 2025
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In conversation, Blunt’s admiration for Johnson is clear, and so is her interest in making sure other people recognize his talents and capabilities.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But because so much less is known about what made Gein tick than the motivations of Dahmer and the Menendezes, Hunnam had room to maneuver and to invent.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
30 Sep. 2025
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Over the first three frames, Wentz was unable to maneuver around traffic in the pocket.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Finesse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finesse. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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