finessed

past tense of finesse

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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for finessed
Verb
  • The building project was negotiated by Rick Snyder, the former Republican governor of Michigan, and paid for by Canada to help ease congestion at the existing Ambassador Bridge and Detroit-Windsor tunnel.
    ABC News, ABC News, 10 June 2026
  • Following the end of the lease, the city of Escondido would regain ownership of the space or a new lease could be negotiated.
    Frankie Rowley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama avoided adding a third flagrant point to his postseason total.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 11 June 2026
  • While the city avoided laying off a number of its already lean staff — which neighbors like San Francisco have had to reckon with — the city’s financial troubles are far from over.
    Ryan Macasero, Mercury News, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • Since Roboto was mechanically engineered, the humanitarian android carries the altruistic Aquarian sentiment.
    Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
  • This episode of Galaxy Brain was produced by Renee Klahr and engineered by Miguel Carrascal.
    Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026
Verb
  • Johnson evaded questions Friday afternoon from reporters who tried to talk to him about the Bears situation at an event at the Chicago Cultural Center honoring the city’s Puerto Rican community.
    Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2026
  • Earlier this month, Swift's long-time collaborator and friend Jack Antonoff carefully evaded questions about his attendance.
    Meg Walters, InStyle, 3 June 2026
Verb
  • Benchmaxing, by contrast, is about the structural conditions under which the entire industry evaluates itself—and, the research argues, those conditions are routinely manipulated or ignored.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 June 2026
  • With enough optimization and intervention, their argument goes, the body can be manipulated into becoming fully knowable, mastered, perfect.
    Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • Despite surrendering a line-drive single to Geraldo Perdomo, Ohtani escaped unscathed thanks to the inning-ending double play.
    Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
  • One of the students escaped and was in custody.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • The five-bedroom estate is arranged around a central pool courtyard, creating a private interior world of gardens, shaded terraces and open-air gathering spaces.
    Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
  • Police in Las Vegas arranged for him to be arrested and then extradited to California, Clark said.
    Saleen Martin, USA Today, 5 June 2026
Verb
  • Jeffrey Epstein’s final months Texts, emails and other documents reveal how Epstein plotted to escape justice as law enforcement closed in.
    Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
  • In performance and direction, and in the small ways in which Caswell and Wills have plotted out this isolated love story, there’s a level of great richness and detail.
    Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 3 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Finessed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finessed. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.

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