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Definition of finesse : 1. Subtilty of contrivance to gain a point; artifice; stratagem.
2. The act of finessing. See Finesse, v. i., 2.
3. To attempt, when second or third player, to make a lower card answer the purpose of a higher, when an intermediate card is out, risking the chance of its being held by the opponent yet to play.
4. To use artifice or stratagem.

Synonyms:

get, goody, contrivance, wile, stratagem, subterfuge, prudence, craft, device, wangle, slightness, discreetness, imposture, daintiness, engineer, trump, dainty, worm, win, tact, invention, ability, circumspection, make, discretion, diplomatic negotiations, fragility, finagle, ruse, cheat, statecraft, delicacy, diplomacy, trick, treat, kickshaw, maneuver, machination, airiness, fraud, artifice, dodge, statesmanship, one-up, blind, fineness

slipperiness, sly, art, deviousness, skill, cunning, slickness, mastery, guile, snakiness, ingenuity, subtlety, wariness, smoothness

comedy, craftiness, sharpness, foxiness, facility, ingeniousness, brilliance, inventiveness, irony, sophistry, wit, quickness, drollness, slyness, resourcefulness, humor, urbanity, cunningness, scintillation, shrewdness, subtleness, trickiness, wiliness, scurrility, astuteness, intellect, canniness

adroitness, skillfulness, cleverness, style, technique, adeptness, artfulness, expressiveness, panache, talent, eloquence, craftsmanship, grace, artistry, capability, deftness

Usage examples:

• His later years were lacking in the energy and finesse that had characterized him during her lifetime, and it was doubtless her loss which clouded his spirits and removed from him the chief inspiration of his reign. - "Women of Early Christianity Woman: In all ages and in all countries, Vol. 3 (of 10)", Alfred Brittain Mitchell Carroll.
• Just at this moment, as Miss Ruff was looking out with eager eyes for a fourth who would suit her tastes, and had almost succeeded in catching the eye of Miss Finesse- and Miss Finesse was a silent, desirable, correct player- who should walk up to the table and absolutely sit down but that odious old woman, Lady Ruth Revoke! - "The Bertrams", Anthony Trollope.
• You can see with what finesse I carried off the shocking event, when I tell you that the Hon. - "Dear Enemy", Jean Webster.