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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of finesse
William Lambers, Newsweek, 8 Mar. 2025
Gone are the tedious, cat and mouse 30-dink rallies of 2023 and 2024; 2025 and these pairs are pedal-to-the-medal, attack at will, power before finesse, and in this observer’s opinion, the watch-ability and televise-ability is improved for it.
—Todd Boss, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
CBS News, 17 Jan. 2025
Yet, in the last few years, an increasing number of younger people have been seeking out the surgery — not as an anti-aging method but to finesse their features, having grown up in an extremely digital world where their physical appearances are constantly on show.
—Leah Dolan, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for finesse
Noun
The finesse in the blacksmithing minigame is great, but so little of it is explained, with the tutorials not covering what most of the button prompts actually do.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 8 Mar. 2025
Gone are the tedious, cat and mouse 30-dink rallies of 2023 and 2024; 2025 and these pairs are pedal-to-the-medal, attack at will, power before finesse, and in this observer’s opinion, the watch-ability and televise-ability is improved for it.
—Todd Boss, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
Concerned that six-year-old Frank would feel like an outcast in overwhelmingly white Luxembourg, Perle finessed the paperwork on behalf of Army lieutenant colonel Bert Cumby and his wife.
—CBS News, 17 Jan. 2025
Yet, in the last few years, an increasing number of younger people have been seeking out the surgery — not as an anti-aging method but to finesse their features, having grown up in an extremely digital world where their physical appearances are constantly on show.
—Leah Dolan, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for finesse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for finesse
Noun
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At the heart of that debate is a nearly century-old legal precedent: Humphrey’s Executor v. United States, a 1935 Supreme Court ruling that limited the President’s ability to remove leaders of independent agencies without cause.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
17 Apr. 2025
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Hunter’s defense, ball handling ability and 3-point shooting shined in March Madness and her inclusion in the starting five also brought out the best in Van Lith.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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If Freeman wants Notre Dame’s next GM to have more roster control, that may mean negotiating contracts and handling NIL payments.—
Pete Sampson,
The Athletic,
13 Feb. 2025
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The pursuit was reinvigorated in the process of negotiating with Real Sociedad for the signing of Mikel Merino last August.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
The Athletic,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Security scrutinized: Suspect eluded officers protecting Shapiro Balmer started fires while troopers searched Troopers were able to safely evacuate Shapiro's family and others in the mansion, but the fire raises the question of how Balmer was able to evade security.—
John Bacon,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2025
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Most of these are fine goals, and some (such as finally terminating the university’s efforts to evade a Supreme Court–ordered end to its use of race discrimination in admissions) ought to be uncontroversial.—
The Editors,
National Review,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
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This investment in financial technology and digital prowess was a common theme among the 385 financial institutions that made this year’s list of the World’s Best Banks.—
Haniya Rae,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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With the aggression and height of Wendie Renard on the backline and the goal-scoring prowess of Kadidiatou Diani up front, can the French combine their talents and shoot for more this time around?—
Julia Ranney,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In Season 4 of the Max comedy, Deborah Vance and Ava Daniels have manipulated their way into their respective dream jobs as host and head writer of a late-night talk show on network TV.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Apr. 2025
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This country is being manipulated by two people — and those too afraid to have the courage to oppose them.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Facing the Marlins for the second time in a week, the Mets (7-3) avoided facing ace Sandy Alcantara, with the 2022 Cy Young Award winner having been added to the paternity list earlier in the day.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2025
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In another legend, the monk was said to have cut off his eyelids to avoid falling asleep during his meditation, one explanation for the doll’s wide-eyed stare.—
Rebecca Cairns,
CNN Money,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Jennie is the latest talent from the K-pop outfit to manage a special feat on the American rankings this week.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
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Royals starter Kris Bubic continues to marvel at his teammate’s elite talent on the field.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
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While SpaceX has a clear advantage in number of launches, schedule assurance, and pricing—and reliability comparable to ULA—Bruno has recently touted the Vulcan rocket's ability to maneuver over long periods in space as a differentiator.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
5 Apr. 2025
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The immediate focus of his studio, Morris says, is on demonstrating autonomous docking with and relocation of orbiting satellites and spacecraft that have lost their ability to maneuver.—
Kevin Holden Platt,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Finesse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finesse. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
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