as in ability
mental skill or quickness
maneuvered his opponent into checkmate with his customary finesse
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to negotiate
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to evade
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 finesse
Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 7 July 2025
Sometimes, this can involve a minor touch-up, such as adding a bit of fresh soil, but at other times, these maintenance tasks require more elbow grease and finesse.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 June 2025
Michael Silver, New York Times, 21 May 2025
However, Teyana Taylor finessed Chick-Fil-A into the 2023 Met Gala and returned this year as host and co-chair.
—Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for finesse
Noun
The demo landed in the hands of Fred again.., who added his finesse to the final track.
—Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 7 July 2025
Sometimes, this can involve a minor touch-up, such as adding a bit of fresh soil, but at other times, these maintenance tasks require more elbow grease and finesse.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 June 2025
Verb
This time, Philly finessed the existing rules and came up with a nearly unstoppable play.
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 21 May 2025
However, Teyana Taylor finessed Chick-Fil-A into the 2023 Met Gala and returned this year as host and co-chair.
—Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for finesse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for finesse
Noun
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Their ability to unify data, automate execution and adapt messaging at scale enables marketing teams to move faster, work smarter and engage customers more meaningfully than ever before.—
Aleks Farseev,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
-
On a per-snap basis, Banks was one of the most disruptive interior defensive linemen in college football last season due to his ability to generate force to the football.—
Dane Brugler,
New York Times,
22 July 2025
Verb
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The sale of the home entertainment rights was negotiated by Brian Andreotti on behalf of Music Box Films and Workman.—
Addie Morfoot,
Variety,
24 July 2025
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The proposal by the Commission was negotiated behind closed doors and largely held secret until the final draft was approved.—
Jon McGowan,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
Verb
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Cromartie also took a plea deal for charges including strangulation, third degree assault of a police officer, first degree wanton endangerment, disarming a peace officer, fleeing or evading police, resisting arrest and violation of a foreign protective order, according to court records.—
Killian Baarlaer,
The Courier-Journal,
18 July 2025
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Of late, Netanyahu has attempted to fudge the issue by pushing through legislation that would create a technical process for drafting the ultra-Orthodox but in practice make the new requirements easy to evade.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
17 July 2025
Noun
-
In the ensuing 18 years, Dark Matter Coffee has shown its prowess.—
Gary Stern,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
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However, with no proven track record of making powerful and reliable engines, Red Bull has a heavy weight on its shoulders, and Verstappen's confidence in the team's technical prowess is yet to be known.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 July 2025
Verb
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Fast-forward to this month, when Paramount agreed to a $16 million settlement to move past Trump's claims that CBS's 60 Minutes deceptively manipulated a pre-election interview with Kamala Harris.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
25 July 2025
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As for Tretter, Ferguson was more sympathetic despite whispers that the former Cleveland Browns guard from Akron Central High might have manipulated Howell’s rise to the NFLPA throne in exchange for a leadership role himself.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
24 July 2025
Verb
-
Close the blinds and curtains on sun-facing windows to block the sun's rays and avoid unwanted heat.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
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This whole situation could have been a sneaky celebrity vacation, taken clandestinely to avoid the paparazzi.—
Emily Zarevich,
JSTOR Daily,
24 July 2025
Noun
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When companies struggle to find reliable, emotionally mature talent, the answer isn’t just hiring differently.—
Elan Gepner-Dales,
Rolling Stone,
23 July 2025
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If entry-level roles are replaced by automation, the pipeline of fresh talent will slow to a drip.—
Victoria Usher,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
Verb
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And these two will maneuver, manipulate, and murder anyone who gets in their way.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
22 July 2025
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July is on course to set new records for the intensity of cross-border attacks. LONDON -- Russia and Ukraine again exchanged a series of major overnight drone strikes as the two sides maneuvered ahead of a possible resumption of ceasefire talks later this week.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
21 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Finesse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finesse. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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