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
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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 killings were engineered to terrify the remaining Poles into fleeing westward, so extensive documentation was spread of the accompanying torture and mutilation.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
20 June 2026
-
How has the company engineered this success?—
Scotty Reiss,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
California Highway Patrol arrested a Sacramento man who police say evaded arrest and stole a patrol car, the Sacramento Police Department announced Friday afternoon.—
Evelyn Ronan,
Sacbee.com,
19 June 2026
-
For years, Heuermann evaded law enforcement despite the discovery of four of the victims' remains in 2010.—
Janelle Griffith,
PEOPLE,
17 June 2026
Verb
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In April 2026, the New England Journal of Medicine retracted a paper after discovering that a clinical image had been manipulated with AI.—
Nan Li,
The Conversation,
22 June 2026
-
Predictive markets, like sports betting, can be manipulated.—
Gladys Louise Tyler,
Forbes.com,
21 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
-
First class will see suites arranged in a 1-1-1 configuration across the cabin, each featuring an 80-inch flat bed and separate armchair, plus a full-length wardrobe.—
Jake McGowan,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
-
Written, composed, and arranged by K-indie singer-songwriter and producer Hyun-sang Ha, the pop-rock ballad was created with his friend, Minhyuk, in mind.—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
19 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 24 Jun. 2026.
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