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
Lora Kelley, The Atlantic, 26 Nov. 2024
Then, the backers of candidates that show potential (based on reactions and reviews) begin finessing their pitches (emphasizing narratives that present them in the best possible light) and courting voters (at screenings and receptions, and through Q&As and interviews).
—Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Feb. 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
Swift isn’t the first star to finesse her own advantageous publishing situation.
—Lora Kelley, The Atlantic, 26 Nov. 2024
Then, the backers of candidates that show potential (based on reactions and reviews) begin finessing their pitches (emphasizing narratives that present them in the best possible light) and courting voters (at screenings and receptions, and through Q&As and interviews).
—Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for finesse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for finesse
Noun
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There are many reasons a person might hesitate to partake in French ring, a sport where dogs are judged on their agility, obedience and ability to provide protection.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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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
Verb
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Officials have not made clear whether the White House is open to negotiating the tariffs.—
Sarah Fortinsky,
The Hill,
7 Apr. 2025
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Michael Barbaro speaks to Thomas Sipp, a lawyer who chose to quit after his firm, Skadden, negotiated a deal to placate the president. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture.—
Michael Barbaro,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Overtourism is to blame That year, a railway company also launched a probe against four popular YouTubers over their stunt to evade fares on public transport, according to local media.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2025
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The group has claimed dozens of strikes against Israel throughout the war in Gaza, some of which have managed to evade the country's state-of-the-art air defense systems.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 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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Decades earlier, Loftus had demonstrated that people’s memories of visual details could be manipulated by posing questions that contained misinformation.—
Bernice Andrews,
Scientific American,
8 Apr. 2025
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While Ticketmaster denies using surge pricing or dynamic algorithms to manipulate prices, fans like Jessica Chou question if their early participation in presales might be contributing to higher initial costs.—
Caché McClay,
USA Today,
8 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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Royals starter Kris Bubic continues to marvel at his teammate’s elite talent on the field.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
6 Apr. 2025
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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
Verb
-
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 16 Apr. 2025.
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