Synonyms of finessed

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

• negotiated
• engineered
• manipulated
• arranged
• plotted
• maneuvered
• managed
• contrived
• masterminded
• framed
• concluded
• finagled
• wangled
• machinated
• concocted
• schemed
• handled
• intrigued
• concerted
• conducted
• hammered out
• directed
• worked out
• hatched
• connived
• brewed
• angled (for)
• compassed
• commanded
• cooked (up)
• captained
• gerrymandered
• quarterbacked
• ran

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• butchered
• bungled
• mangled
• fumbled
• blew
• botched
• mishandled
• muffed
• messed (up)
• gummed (up)
• flubbed
• bobbled
• loused up

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

• avoided
• evaded
• escaped
• eluded
• eschewed
• shunned
• dodged
• deflected
• prevented
• shook
• eliminated
• ducked
• shuffled (out of)
• scaped
• kept clear of
• shirked
• circumvented
• excluded
• averted
• obviated
• precluded
• thwarted
• steered clear of
• fought shy of
• parried
• got around
• weaseled (out of)
• diverted
• stayed clear of
• missed
• excepted
• ruled out
• outwitted
• bypassed
• outsmarted
• banned
• overreached
• foiled
• frustrated
• warded (off)
• debarred
• outfoxed
• foxed
• skirted
• barred

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• accepted
• sought
• pursued
• welcomed
• embraced
• courted
• caught
• incurred
• contracted

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of finessed

Importantly, there was a feeling, according to multiple sources, that Jackson had scope to be finessed. — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

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