Synonyms of finesse

finesse 1 of 2

noun

fə-ˈnes 

as in ability

mental skill or quickness

maneuvered his opponent into checkmate with his customary finesse

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ability
• talent
• prowess
• proficiency
• dexterity
• aptitude
• competence
• expertise
• adroitness
• cleverness
• efficiency
• competency
• knack
• resourcefulness
• capability
• sleight
• capacity
• ingenuity
• artfulness
• faculty
• shrewdness
• savvy
• know-how
• guile
• ingeniousness
• cunning
• deviousness
• subtleness
• sharpness
• craftiness
• slyness
• slickness
• canniness
• wiliness
• sneakiness
• craft
• cunningness
• artifice
• caginess
• foxiness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ineptitude
• incompetence
• inadequacy
• incompetency
• ineptness
• density
• slowness
• obtuseness
• dullness
• stupidity
• foolishness
• dumbness
• denseness
• simpleness
• mindlessness
• fatuity
• senselessness
• witlessness
• dopiness
• stupidness
• doltishness
• brainlessness

finesse

2 of 2

verb

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

• negotiate
• manipulate
• maneuver
• engineer
• arrange
• plot
• manage
• contrive
• frame
• finagle
• machinate
• mastermind
• wangle
• intrigue
• scheme
• conclude
• hammer out
• concert
• work out
• handle
• direct
• conduct
• compass
• angle (for)
• connive
• concoct
• command
• hatch
• brew
• cook (up)
• quarterback
• run
• gerrymander
• captain

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• blow
• butcher
• botch
• fumble
• gum (up)
• mangle
• bungle
• mess (up)
• mishandle
• flub
• muff
• louse up
• bobble

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• evade
• avoid
• escape
• elude
• eschew
• dodge
• shun
• shake
• deflect
• prevent
• scape
• shuffle (out of)
• steer clear of
• eliminate
• shirk
• weasel (out of)
• duck
• keep clear of
• get around
• fight shy of
• circumvent
• obviate
• miss
• parry
• preclude
• thwart
• rule out
• stay clear of
• avert
• ward (off)
• outwit
• divert
• exclude
• frustrate
• except
• bypass
• ban
• foil
• outsmart
• outfox
• fox
• debar
• overreach
• bar
• skirt

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• seek
• accept
• pursue
• embrace
• welcome
• court
• catch
• incur
• contract

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of finesse

Noun

Technically speaking, Amber turns in a pretty stellar week-one cha-cha, and the notes from the judges are mostly about finesse and refinement. — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026

These reproductions are surprisingly effective, partly because the tapestry was made by many hands to begin with, and free embroidery is not an art of finesse. — John Phipps, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026

Verb

A number of conversations are nearly verbatim to what the transcripts show, though Gunn admits to finessing certain moments for cinematic purposes. — Barry Levitt, Time, 14 Aug. 2026

The two scenes that were finessed the most, where McKenna’s interpretation of Nicky was most crucial, were his first meeting with Ralph (Winston Sawyers) and his Episode 1 confrontation with Jack (Lox Pratt). — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 31 May 2026

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