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
Essence, 29 Sep. 2025
Reiner, unlike many other directors traveling in this genre, has the confidence and finesse not to gum it up with gratuitous special effects.
—Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 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
Additions like maple and honey round out the bitterness and tartness, creating balanced cocktails with depth and finesse.
—Essence, 29 Sep. 2025
Reiner, unlike many other directors traveling in this genre, has the confidence and finesse not to gum it up with gratuitous special effects.
—Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 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
-
Yet Britain failed to capitalize on the success, underestimating the American ability to regroup and continue fighting.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Such expertise requires an innate ability, thousands of hours of practice, and the ability to learn effectively.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The White House has not yet negotiated lower prices on IVF drugs from other manufacturers.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The only long-term solution — in my view — is a Palestinian state in Gaza and the West Bank whose borders are negotiated with Israel.—
Thomas L. Friedman,
Mercury News,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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These treatments aim to create a renewable source of beta cells or to help maintain existing beta cells by shielding them from the immune system or enabling them to evade it.—
Tara Haelle,
Scientific American,
14 Oct. 2025
-
While stealth jets have various tricks to evade traditional radars with some success, the quantum radars might prove to be a game changer in the long run.—
Abhishek Bhardwaj,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Born Paul Daniel Frehley to a musical family, he was self-taught — and went on to inspire millions with his guitar prowess.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
17 Oct. 2025
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Adding to Tillman’s scoring prowess is his knack of maintaining possession, which Heim credits in raising Medfield’s attack.—
Greg Dudek,
Boston Herald,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The ethical dimension of creating and manipulating living brain cells remains under discussion.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Oct. 2025
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Don't Look Now manipulates audiences' minds, mixing elements of the occult with the overwhelming need for hope into a plot twist audiences will find difficult to swallow.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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For those affected, avoiding even trace amounts of eggs is essential, making accurate labeling critical.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
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For less hustle and bustle, busiest avoid traveling Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday.—
Frank Witsil,
Freep.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Secondly, because of the academy and the talent coming through.—
Rob Tanner,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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Kamara’s new venture is being represented by the talent agency New School, which also represents Campbell Addy, Jawara Alleyne and Gareth Wrighton.—
Hikmat Mohammed,
Footwear News,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Hamas had little room to maneuver in the latest round of talks.—
Mohammed R. Mhawish,
New Yorker,
14 Oct. 2025
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Cozy yet polished, the two-piece ensemble is ideal for maneuvering tight cabin bathrooms to kicking back on weekends.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Finesse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finesse. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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