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
Megan Feringa, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Her screen presence was unforgettable—equal parts fire and finesse—gracing everything from Gossip Girl and The Black Donnellys to Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Better Call Saul, and Law & Order.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Robert Ross, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2025
Man Ray is one of the few Dada-Surrealist cusp figures who finessed affiliations with both movements without alienating either one.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for finesse
Noun
Arsenal might have opened the door for Melchie Dumornay to punish them but the 22-year-old Haiti international’s tenacity and finesse to execute was emblematic of her team’s performance.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Her screen presence was unforgettable—equal parts fire and finesse—gracing everything from Gossip Girl and The Black Donnellys to Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Better Call Saul, and Law & Order.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
But no amount of finessing the Beetle—the automotive equivalent of a Birkenstock sandal—would turn VW’s ugly duckling into a swan.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2025
Man Ray is one of the few Dada-Surrealist cusp figures who finessed affiliations with both movements without alienating either one.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for finesse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for finesse
Noun
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His players marveled at this ability to focus.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
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As both a player and in his post-playing career, Craig has displayed an ability to elevate those around him.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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This has given the conflict a religious coloration, and political elites have also chosen to politicize the conflict to negotiate power and other interests, which has complicated the problem.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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One head of a negotiating delegation told CNN they were being charged more than $20,000 for two weeks in a three-bedroom apartment.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The company said Perplexity wasn't operating transparently and is evading the company to gain unauthorized access to its store.—
Ashley Capoot,Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
4 Nov. 2025
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After successfully evading arrest, Lennon remained on the run for 13 years.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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With a new wave of talent, including Santiago Giménez, Edson Álvarez, and César Montes leading the charge, El Tri are blending youthful energy with experienced leadership.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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My father had two superpowers that saved him in the face of all those failures—his talent for telling stories and gardening.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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As people increasingly turn to such bots for emotional support and life advice, recent incidents have spotlighted their potential to manipulate vulnerable people by facilitating a false sense of closeness or care.—
Angela Yang,
NBC news,
31 Oct. 2025
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The face-down between a pitcher and a batter, especially in a World Series, has enough tension without needing to be manipulated by outside music.—
Alison Weinflash,
Rolling Stone,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Take extra caution when on the road or avoid driving if possible.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
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Flyers should try to mitigate any headaches from delays and cancellations by avoiding booking flights with layovers, the non-profit US Public Interest Research Group says, and opt to make reservations directly with the airline rather than a third-party website.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Efforts to compete with Amazon during its ascent in the 2010s had department stores playing catchup on supply chain prowess and integrating stores with e-commerce—sometimes to the detriment of in-store experience.—
Phil Wahba,
Fortune,
7 Nov. 2025
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The closing scene of the trailer pokes fun at the Grammy-winning singer's dancing prowess.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The key features of this vacuum are its lightweight design, self-cleaning and tangle-resistant brush roll, plus its slender silhouette for maneuvering under furniture.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
5 Nov. 2025
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Everything else works exceptionally well, from the smooth telescoping handle to the easy-gliding wheels, which maneuvered silently across carpet, flooring, and concrete.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Finesse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finesse. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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