1
as in to negotiate
to plan out usually with subtle skill or care
let me look at my schedule and see if I can't finagle a visit to the museum
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to cheat
to use dishonest methods to achieve a goal
she'll finagle until she gets exactly what she wants
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of finagle
In June 1993, Caldwell finagled a job as a tennis instructor at Virginia’s oldest girls’ camp, Camp Carysbrook, by presenting himself as a student at Roanoke College.
—
Brendan Borrell, Outside Online, 17 Oct. 2017
Eve and Nick are incredibly interesting characters because in many narratives such as this one — an unwitting couple tries to scam or steal or finagle a better life with rapidly escalating moral quandaries tied to the consequences — the story takes dark and thorny turns.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2024
As Ora cooled her high heels by the theater entrance, Waititi dealt with finagling ApplePay, holding multiple drinks, and frequent requests for selfies.
—Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 16 Sep. 2024
But the resolution might require more than just mathematically finagling the traditional equations.
—Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 1 Feb. 2021
See all Example Sentences for finagle 
Brendan Borrell, Outside Online, 17 Oct. 2017
Eve and Nick are incredibly interesting characters because in many narratives such as this one — an unwitting couple tries to scam or steal or finagle a better life with rapidly escalating moral quandaries tied to the consequences — the story takes dark and thorny turns.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2024
As Ora cooled her high heels by the theater entrance, Waititi dealt with finagling ApplePay, holding multiple drinks, and frequent requests for selfies.
—Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 16 Sep. 2024
But the resolution might require more than just mathematically finagling the traditional equations.
—Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 1 Feb. 2021
See all Example Sentences for finagle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for finagle
Verb
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Although Kessler is a high-profile litigator, including by leading high-profile antitrust lawsuits against the NCAA, NASCAR, U.S. Soccer, the NFL and other major sports defendants, litigators sometimes negotiate resolutions without having to go to court.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
25 Jan. 2025
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In other markets, inventory will be lower and there will be less room to negotiate.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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There’s a scene where the duo is trying to get their rent money back from Alyssa’s conniving and cheating boyfriend, which perfectly encapsulates the blend of wit and physical comedy that makes the film so memorable.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
21 Jan. 2025
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West Virginia was also willing to cheat off of Keshon Gilbert.—
CJ Moore,
The Athletic,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The company arranged for two Fox Sports personnel, Julian Edelman and Charissa Thompson, to do a tease of sorts just before kickoff of Fox’s Sunday telecast of the NFC Championship.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
28 Jan. 2025
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Over the weekend, Trump administration officials arranged another ride-along, that time in Chicago, for the daytime TV talk show star Dr. Phil McGraw.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN,
28 Jan. 2025
Verb
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In more significant cases, scammers manipulate individuals into transferring large sums of money to fake people, scam accounts, or identity theft.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA TODAY,
25 Jan. 2025
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As Beckman's accomplice, Lau allegedly manipulated documents, including documents allegedly stolen from the venture capital firm that employed her while supposedly hiding her work for GameOn.—
Ashley Belanger,
Ars Technica,
24 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near finagle
Cite this Entry
“Finagle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finagle. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.
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