n. 1 artfulness, subtlety, cunning, craftiness, cleverness, strategy, shrewdness, skill, style, dash, élan, panache, knack, skilfulness, talent, adroitness, expertness, expertise, adeptness, proficiency, ability, facility I admire the finesse with which she persuaded him to give the painting to the museum 2 trick, artifice, stratagem, wile, ruse, scheme, machination, intrigue, device, expedient, manoeuvre, deception, deceit He used every finesse in the book to get her to work for him 3 tact, diplomacy, discretion, grace, taste, delicacy, polish, refinement, elegance With infinite finesse, Lord Lacey suggested that the duchess might like to stay the night
v. 4 manoeuvre, manipulate, bluff, trick, delude, deceive, fool, outwit, hoodwink, Colloq finagle, Slang con She was finessed into making him heir to her fortune