1
as in negotiated
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in avoided
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of finessed
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
The immaculate lineup of laminated pastries, like a pandan cream croissant, is similarly finessed.
—Allecia Vermillion, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 May 2026
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
The director also finessed Hollywood.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 5 Dec. 2025
Back in Miami, Winter finessed his preparation with former Duncan Ensemble dancer Ivette Sotomayor.
—Guillermo Perez, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025
Cruz finessed his way into not allowing a Red Sox runner to cross the plate, keeping the score tied.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 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
In the other, a talented pitcher in a true breakout year overpowered some hitters and, against others, finessed his way out of pressure spots with men on base.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 31 May 2026
The immaculate lineup of laminated pastries, like a pandan cream croissant, is similarly finessed.
—Allecia Vermillion, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 May 2026
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
The director also finessed Hollywood.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 5 Dec. 2025
Back in Miami, Winter finessed his preparation with former Duncan Ensemble dancer Ivette Sotomayor.
—Guillermo Perez, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025
Cruz finessed his way into not allowing a Red Sox runner to cross the plate, keeping the score tied.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 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
In the other, a talented pitcher in a true breakout year overpowered some hitters and, against others, finessed his way out of pressure spots with men on base.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for finessed
Verb
-
Again, this could be negotiated.—
Chris McKenna,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
Other issues to be negotiated in a final deal, according to the framework, are how to monitor implementation and future compliance.—
Deepa Shivaram,
NPR,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
But in Brazil, the main terrestrial broadcaster, Globo, has avoided advertising.—
Tom Burrows,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
Carter Jensen led off the game with a home run, and John Rave, Lane Thomas and Michael Massey also went deep as the Royals avoided a three-game sweep in Washington.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
The proprietary filtration system is specifically engineered to remove impurities, chlorine, harmful chemicals and heavy metals from your water.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 June 2026
-
The hull and superstructure were engineered specifically to support the propulsion system, with designs that reduce energy consumption while improving performance and comfort.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Minions have now evaded Wendy's.—
Bianca Harris,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
-
Despite being a major 20th-century modernist, Galentz’s canvases have long-evaded definitive categorization.—
The Editors of ARTnews,
ARTnews.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
He’s been manipulated to believe that this is what’s necessary by his sister.—
Ronda Racha Penrice,
HollywoodReporter,
15 June 2026
-
The people drawing the lines manipulated the system for partisan advantage.—
Steve Bousquet,
Sun Sentinel,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Kansas City police are continuing to search for a 22-year-old man suspected of instigating a string of shootings Tuesday night, who has now escaped two standoffs with law enforcement.—
Ilana Arougheti
June 18,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2026
-
Over the course of a 60-yard run, Maradona danced past opponents, escaped challenges and left English defenders helpless before beating the goalkeeper with a clinical finish.—
Cesar R. Torres,
The Conversation,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
There was Asher Durand, master of the winsome glade; John Frederick Kensett, poet of still waters; and, above all, Thomas Cole, the philosopher-king of landscape, with whom an 18-year-old Church arranged to study privately.—
Susan Tallman,
The Atlantic,
13 June 2026
-
This meal was arranged like weather.—
Teresa Mull,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Eisenhower’s national security team subsequently plotted to overthrow no fewer than three different democracies on three different continents over the course of his eight years.—
Ta-Nehisi Coates,
Vanity Fair,
15 June 2026
-
And while the women of Chinatown’s faraway past may have daydreamed and even plotted their escapes, See keeps going back.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Finessed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finessed. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
