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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of finesse
Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 3 Mar. 2026
The restaurant opened in July 2019, taking over the former Chef’s Kitchen space on Beaver Avenue and launching with a menu that married familiarity and finesse.
—Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register, 23 Feb. 2026
Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 5 Dec. 2025
Assuming that forces an honor, finesse the six on the second.
—Deb Harvell, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for finesse
Noun
In his fourth season as music director, the Slovak maestro has the Houston Symphony playing on an amazing level of sophistication and finesse — in a hall that hides nothing.
—Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 3 Mar. 2026
The restaurant opened in July 2019, taking over the former Chef’s Kitchen space on Beaver Avenue and launching with a menu that married familiarity and finesse.
—Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register, 23 Feb. 2026
Verb
The director also finessed Hollywood.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 5 Dec. 2025
Assuming that forces an honor, finesse the six on the second.
—Deb Harvell, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for finesse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for finesse
Noun
-
Dispensaries on tribal land were the first to open because of their sovereignty and ability to make their own rules.—
Frankie McLister,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
The day-long prohibition came less than a week after Middle District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell issued an order expanding Alligator Alcatraz detainees’ access to their lawyers and their ability to use phones at the remote pop-up facility.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At the time, Epstein was serving his 18-month sentence in the Palm Beach County stockade but was allowed to spend 12 hours a day, six days a week, in his office under a work-release program his attorneys had negotiated.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Spice levels are negotiated with shorthand, on a scale from one to five.—
Timothy DePeugh,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Thousands of trucking companies racking up thousands of safety violations – poor maintenance, excessive driving hours, drug and alcohol use – all while evading federal enforcement.—
Ashley Velie,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
The scooter rider managed to evade police by making a U-turn, cops said.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Jude was painfully conscious of the despoiling of his creative talents.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
First, the team is still on the bottom floor of its rebuild and still assessing its talent level.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There are seeds to grab, and in some cases, a team could essentially manipulate how their side of the bracket sorts itself out.—
Tim Reynolds,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The case would also require testimony, which meant that at least one of Bateman’s wives needed to realize she was being manipulated and abused.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Yankees will look to avoid its first series sweep Sunday with Cam Schlittler on the mound against Tampa Bay’s Drew Rasmussen.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
The troop carrier planes became bogged down in the soil and had to be destroyed by the US to avoid them falling into enemy hands, while new planes were flown in.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That prowess was on full display in last week’s series against the Minnesota Twins.—
PJ Green
April 7,
Kansas City Star,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Michigan has shown its prowess of taking momentum and sprinting with it offensively, dominating opponents all year long, including this NCAA Tournament.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The mission is testing the space capsule's life support system and demonstrating its ability to maneuver during rendezvous and (simulated) docking activities.—
Robert Z. Pearlman,
Space.com,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Across the board, products are now designed to extend, maintain, and improve hair health, not just mold and maneuver it to our style of choice.—
Iman Balagam,
Vogue,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Finesse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finesse. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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