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
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
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
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
-
In recent discussions with NBC, YouTube TV, part of Google parent Alphabet, has sought terms that the broadcaster felt were markedly better than those already negotiated with other carriers, according to a person familiar with the matter.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Locations are typically negotiated between FIFA and host committees representing various cities.—
Rick Hurd,
Mercury News,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The former congresswoman insisted a shutdown must be avoided.—
Julia Manchester,
The Hill,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The early suggestions were that Newcastle were hopeful Livramento had avoided an ACL injury, though the 22-year-old is still expected to be sidelined for a potentially lengthy period.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Blue Water Autonomy’s unmanned surface vessels are engineered for long-endurance deployments with thousands of nautical miles of range.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Sep. 2025
-
The transfer from Tulsa blessed with a nice arm and fast feet has engineered two consecutive victories and will start his third consecutive game on Saturday night when Cal Poly of San Luis Obispo visits Hornet Stadium for a Big Sky Conference opener.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Hauge skillfully evaded Porro for both of his goals.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Frank evaded questions about whether Robertson has ever asked for extra benefits that are not allowed under the NBA salary cap.—
Janis Carr,
Oc Register,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The first one played short caught Newcastle by surprise and manipulated their zonal defenders.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
-
China has manipulated the market by suppressing prices to drive Western competition from the market, said Ryan Castilloux, founder of Adamas Intelligence, a critical mineral market research firm.—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
His peace of mind doesn’t survive the first commute to work, when Alex and Dwayne nearly run over a dirty, barefoot, hysterical boy, Riley (Gage Munroe), who has escaped from TPA.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Cincinnati then escaped with a four-point victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2, despite backup QB Jake Browning tossing three interceptions.—
Max Dible,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Szyszkiewicz was arranged in Seneca County Centralized Arraignment Part Court and is being held on a $250,000 bail or a $500,000 bond.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
26 Sep. 2025
-
It’s also brilliantly arranged, from the chiming guitar on the intro to the way the rhythm section makes its entrance (McCartney-esque bassline and rat-a-tat snare) before pulling back on the chorus, where Ruess’ vocal appears to be floating in space on a bed of keyboards and piano.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But while the first four episodes were well-plotted and sure-footed — building up to episode five’s ambitious Alien remix — the final three have been relatively attenuated.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
24 Sep. 2025
-
But as Newsom and his allies plotted how to respond to the Lone Star State, two Bay Area counties had already planned to hold off-cycle elections in November.—
Grace Hase,
Mercury News,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Finessed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finessed. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share