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

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