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finesse

/fɪˈnes/  ·  say it: fih·NES

refined skill and subtlety

In Nuance & Precision

In more detail

1. (noun) skill and cleverness in dealing with something; the ability to handle something delicately or with style

2. (noun) a subtle trick or clever technique

3. (verb) to handle or deal with something in a skillful or clever way

Examples

• 1. She showed great finesse in managing the difficult negotiation.
• 2. The magician used finesse to make the coin disappear.
• 3. He finessedhis way through the problem by using intelligence rather than force.

Nearby in Nuance & Precision

guise, pretense, nuance, tact, delicacy, discretion