Synonyms for finesse
Synonyms by meaning
Noun
1. Subtlety
2. Maneuvering
maneuvering US, manoeuvring UK, trick, maneuver US, manoeuvre UK, intrigue, artifice, deception, deceit, stratagem, ruse, wile, guile, cunning, dodge, contrivance, machination, chouse
Other
footwork informal
Definitions
- n. 1
A skill in the handling or manipulation of a situation.
- n. 2
The property of having elegance, grace, refinement, or skill.
Forms
- Plural
- finesses → subtleties, delicacies, refinements, diplomacies…
Choose the right word
Finesse is especially subtle contrivance, delicate artifice, whether for good or evil.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- diplomacy Openness and toughness characterize Korean diplomacy.
- refinement I read many books, and attained refinement.
- delicacy Fried spiders are a regional delicacy in Cambodia.
- subtlety Subtlety has never been your strong suit.
- intrigue He watches for an opportunity to intrigue against his rival.
- artifice The language of truth must be, with no doubt, simple and without artifice.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| finesse | rising | |
| diplomacy | steady | |
| refinement | steady | |
| delicacy | steady | |
| subtlety | steady | |
| intrigue | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- ruse1, wile1
- 5 letters
- trick1, dodge1, guile1
- 6 letters
- deceit2, chouse
- 7 letters
- cunning2
- 8 letters
- maneuver3, intrigue2, delicacy4, subtlety3, footwork2, artifice3
- 9 letters
- diplomacy4, deception3, manoeuvre, stratagem3
- 10 letters
- refinement3
- 11 letters
- maneuvering4, manoeuvring, contrivance3, machination4
- 12 letters
- discreetness
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (deceit2 = 2 syllables).