1. handled with skill and subtlety; managed cleverly or diplomatically
Usage: past tense of finesse
2. played a card in bridge attempting to win a trick with a lower card when holding a higher one
Usage: bridge terminology

Examples

• She finessed the difficult negotiation with remarkable diplomacy.
• The politician finessed his way through the controversial interview.
• He finessed the delicate situation by changing the subject.
• The chef finessed the recipe to perfection over many years.
• She finessed the queen of hearts, hoping her opponent didn’t have the king.
• The experienced player finessed against the ace and won the trick.