1. handling a situation with skill, subtlety, or delicate maneuvering
Usage: present participle of finesse
2. achieving something through cleverness or trickery rather than direct confrontation
Usage: often implies avoiding direct methods
3. playing a finesse in card games, especially bridge
Usage: card games; technical term

Examples

• She’s finessing the negotiations to get a better deal.
• He spent hours finessing his presentation to impress the board.
• The politician is finessing his way around the controversial topic.
• They’re finessing the budget to avoid layoffs.
• The bridge player is finessing the queen of hearts.
• She’s finessing her schedule to fit in the meeting.