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
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Recent Examples of finessed
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
The state finessed that by assuming his car was repaired after the robbery.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2025
Language was finessed in other ways, too.
—Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2025
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
The state finessed that by assuming his car was repaired after the robbery.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2025
Language was finessed in other ways, too.
—Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for finessed
Verb
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According to Disney, the carriage fee increases that Google is balking at are in line with what Disney has successfully negotiated with other distributors, including it own Hulu + Live TV and Fubo services.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
31 Oct. 2025
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Meanwhile, more official funding legislation could be negotiated.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Boston Red Sox have avoided arbitration with outfielder Jarren Duran this offseason, agreeing to terms on a new contract.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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While administration officials have avoided overtly saying their goal is regime change — Trump has focused his public remarks on fighting drug cartels — the ultimate goal of democratizing Venezuela, and the resulting investment benefits, are front and center in investors’ minds.—
Shelby Talcott,
semafor.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Scientists at Rice University have engineered living cells to light up like tiny beacons, revealing protein changes in real time.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
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Those who need more range and strength for mixed terrain benefit from the Ausom L2 Max Dual Motor E-scooter, engineered with dual 1000W motors and advanced front and rear rocker-arm suspension.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But this freedom evaded Russia because the Soviet system was never fully dismantled.—
Kathleen Collins,
Twin Cities,
26 Oct. 2025
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Data from the agency estimates that 33% of bus riders evaded paying fares in 2025.—
Claudia Levens,
jsonline.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Paper co-author Stephanie Rutter of La Trobe emphasized in a statement that the findings highlight the importance of cell-to-cell communication to maintain health—and how these processes can be manipulated by viruses.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
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Speaking on Fortune’s Leadership Next podcast with hosts Diane Brady and Kristin Stoller, Weeks revealed how Jobs manipulated him into taking on what seemed like an impossible task.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Then Tottenham, another of this season’s strongest starters, escaped with a win at Elland Road when the hosts deserved at least a draw, if not more.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
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Under the pretense of going to the bathroom, Dunne escaped out the window and took off in her car, which Sweeney jumped the hood of.—
Rebecca Aizin,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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To compensate, Goddard administration arranged for food trucks on campus as an alternative option for employees.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
31 Oct. 2025
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The functional centerpiece is a six-story staircase, which leads museumgoers past stone monuments and pharaonic statues arranged in reverse chronological order.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In 2020, a militia group in Michigan plotted to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer, citing opposition to COVID-19 restrictions as their motivation.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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Denver has plotted Greenlaw’s recovery for the long haul, and Strnad’s contributions have given the franchise the breathing room to do so.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Finessed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finessed. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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