finesse 1 of 2

noun

fə-ˈnes How to pronounce finesse (audio)
Definition of finessenext
as in ability
mental skill or quickness maneuvered his opponent into checkmate with his customary finesse

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

finesse

2 of 2

verb

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

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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

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 finesse
Noun
The event, now in its 27th year and held at the Kennedy Center, toasted Maher’s intellect, his broad range of interests, interviewing finesse and loyalty to his audience among other features. — Paul Harris, Variety, 29 June 2026 The finesse and flow of a high-stakes football match is notoriously difficult to recreate, too. — Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 26 June 2026
Verb
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 This no-wipe gel formula comes with a short, easy-to-finesse spoolie applicator that can make stripes, waves, and ripples. — Rosa Pyo, Allure, 9 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for finesse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for finesse
  1. ability
  2. negotiate
  3. evade
  4. talent
  5. manipulate
  6. avoid
  7. prowess
  8. maneuver
Noun
  • Iran’s proxies in the region, the Houthis, have since blockaded another strait – the Bab-al-Mandeb – challenging Saudi Arabia’s ability to export oil through that alternate route.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Both countries are investing heavily in technologies such as enhanced stealth, artificial intelligence, advanced networking, and the ability to operate alongside autonomous drones.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of ability
Verb
  • Providers responded by listing one rate for a paying customer and a separate, higher rate to negotiate down with an insurer.
    — Chris Ryan, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • These companies are having difficulties negotiating crew transportation services as a result.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 29 July 2026
Definition of negotiate
Verb
  • This vagueness risks allowing both AI developers and therapists to evade responsibility if harmful advice is given.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • Last month, prosecutors charged Williams with two felony counts of camping and one misdemeanor charge of evading arrest.
    — Marissa J. Lang, NPR, 21 July 2026
Definition of evade
Noun
  • Avoiding represented talent or hindering communication only exacerbates the issue.
    — Chris Ryan, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • That would allow the Cowboys to go out and sign free agents in a pool of available talent that does still have solid players.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2026
Definition of talent
Verb
  • The lawsuit also alleges that Penske and Boehly manipulated and misused California’s nonprofit laws.
    — Andrew Dalton, Fortune, 29 July 2026
  • The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has reported that AI training data and inputs are being manipulated and warned that attackers could influence model behavior by corrupting the information AI systems rely upon.
    — Syed Ali, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of manipulate
Verb
  • This basic primer avoids specific military tactics, instead offering general advice for non-military personnel.
    — Zita Ballinger Fletcher, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • Saudi Arabia is getting pulled further into the Middle East conflict, conducting joint strikes with the US against Iraq this week – despite the kingdom having spent months trying to avoid deeper involvement.
    — Salma Arafa, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
Definition of avoid
Noun
  • Goldman Sachs ' dealmaking prowess may grab all the glory, but the biggest driver of growth last quarter came from the daily-grind of equities trading.
    — Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Taiwan's manufacturing prowess is critical, as all major platform developers rely on its expertise for producing AI components and systems.
    — Russell Flannery, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of prowess
Verb
  • But Hwang’s journey to 2028 includes far bigger obstacles than simply learning to maneuver the starting blocks or managing her ataxia — which can cause impaired movement and muscle spasms that can cut into practice sessions at a moment’s notice.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
  • And teams are having to maneuver through and around that, chemistry, player development and individual player personality and performance.
    — Dan Woike, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of maneuver

Browse Nearby Words

finespun
finesse
finessed
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Cite this Entry

“Finesse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finesse. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of finesse for Spanish Speakers

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