as in ability
mental skill or quickness
maneuvered his opponent into checkmate with his customary finesse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of finesse
ABC News, 28 May 2026
As temperatures spike and humidity rises, trying to stay cool while maintaining even the smallest modicum of sartorial finesse can be… challenging, to say the least.
—Vogue, 25 May 2026
Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 20 Feb. 2026
This no-wipe gel formula comes with a short, easy-to-finesse spoolie applicator that can make stripes, waves, and ripples.
—Rosa Pyo, Allure, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for finesse
Noun
Experts say Japan, with its finesse in manufacturing, proved a good breeding ground for robotics development.
—ABC News, 28 May 2026
As temperatures spike and humidity rises, trying to stay cool while maintaining even the smallest modicum of sartorial finesse can be… challenging, to say the least.
—Vogue, 25 May 2026
Verb
Repossi finessed the rose gold used in its latest spiraling Blast high jewelry pieces, playing up its yellow gleam under a gradient of orange gemstones.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 20 Feb. 2026
This no-wipe gel formula comes with a short, easy-to-finesse spoolie applicator that can make stripes, waves, and ripples.
—Rosa Pyo, Allure, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for finesse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for finesse
Noun
-
While the company did not disclose the exact flight time beyond saying it was completed in just over six hours, the route highlights the aircraft’s ability to connect North America and Europe at high speed.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
6 June 2026
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But its most potent advantage is undoubtedly its ability to engender fearsome loyalty from many young Lebanese Shia Muslims.—
Mick Krever,
CNN Money,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Emmett holds the two men at gunpoint and instructs them to transport him to a specific location to evade capture.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 June 2026
-
Johnson evaded questions Friday afternoon from reporters who tried to talk to him about the Bears situation at an event at the Chicago Cultural Center honoring the city’s Puerto Rican community.—
Robert McCoppin,
Chicago Tribune,
5 June 2026
Noun
-
Sports-loving Kim has re-committed to developing athletic talent as a tool to promote North Korea internationally, according to a report by South Korea’s Unification Ministry.—
Andrew McNicol,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
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Fans and former costars alike flooded social media with outpourings of appreciation for his talent and grief at his death.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
7 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
Verb
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Residents and visitors were urged to avoid the area as the investigation continues.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
7 June 2026
-
Residents and festivalgoers were urged to avoid the area and expect a significant law enforcement presence as officers continue their search and investigators work to determine what led to the shooting.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
7 June 2026
Noun
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Pink is no comedian and many of the show’s bits fell flat, but the star’s fandom seemed genuine and her vocal prowess the envy of many a Tony nominee.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2026
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Tate projected a credo of masculine excellence that revolved around self-discipline, physical prowess, and mental fortitude.—
Heidi Blake,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
The missile features a streamlined, wingless design that relies on rear control fins for maneuvering.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
7 June 2026
-
Let’s start with the trade deadline, something the Rockies have often been reticent to maneuver in the past.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Finesse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finesse. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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