finessed

verb

past tense of finesse
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

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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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for finessed
  1. negotiated
  2. avoided
  3. engineered
  4. evaded
  5. manipulated
  6. escaped
  7. arranged
  8. plotted
Verb
  • This will happen on six occasions from October through to December, but only if the tie against Tromso is safely negotiated to set up three home matches and three away in the league phase.
    — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Greenwich plans to release the film in theaters early next year after the company’s Andy Bohn negotiated the deal with CAA Media Finance on behalf of the filmmakers.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of negotiated
Verb
  • In Minneapolis and New Orleans, CNN found once-bustling shops and restaurants growing quiet during federal immigration operations as some immigrants avoided work and parents kept children home from school.
    — Maria Santana, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Those have avoided injuries to key players that can demoralize a team and affect a season.
    — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of avoided
Verb
  • The success is also partly engineered by Samsung because reports suggest that the iPhone Fold will cost between $2,000 and $2,400.
    — Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Most of the region’s sewers were engineered generations ago to drain well under 2 inches of rain per hour, and a cloudburst can deliver double that amount.
    — Ravi S. Bhalla, New York Daily News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of engineered
Verb
  • The ball evaded him and reached Brobbey, but the striker could not control in the ocean of space he was left in.
    — Beren Cross, New York Times, 31 July 2026
  • Shortly before the shooting, agents were investigating two Guatemalan men known to be driving a white van who had previously evaded arrest and were potentially subject to deportation, the US attorney for Texas’ southern district said.
    — Ashley Killough, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
Definition of evaded
Verb
  • The sheriff's office also sought to rebut theories that had circulated publicly about the case, including claims that evidence was missing or the crime scene had been manipulated.
    — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Prosecutors argue that Clancy manipulated her providers and sought quick fixes for her depression and anxiety.
    — Melina Khan, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of manipulated
Verb
  • On the play Dart returned, the QB escaped the pocket before finding Fields in the end zone for a leaping touchdown grab.
    — Charlotte Carroll, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • And Above Ground includes poems to his children about what their ancestors endured and escaped.
    — Terry Gross, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of escaped
Verb
  • The two prescriptions would be arranged in concentric rings, alternating outward as though from a bull’s-eye.
    — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2026
  • But, like the modern concept of condominium ownership, the investors purchased shares of the theater (corresponding to the 44 private boxes arranged on three levels).
    — Irene S. Levine, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of arranged
Verb
  • Setting the form equal to a number fixes it into an equation that can be plotted on an x-y graph—something many of us learned to do on graphing calculators in high school.
    — Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Aurelius uses similar techniques across the record, which lends to a certain sameyness by the end, though the tracks’ varied tempos, each one plotted at a different point on the downtempo spectrum, help offset any stagnation.
    — Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of plotted

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finesse
finessed
finesses
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Cite this Entry

“Finessed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finessed. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of finessed for Spanish Speakers

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