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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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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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.
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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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In 2022, the Israeli parliamentarian Naftali Bennett recalled negotiating with Netanyahu after a recent election failed to yield a clear winner.Ruth Margalit, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025
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The labor action sprang up almost a month ago at the height of the Christmas package delivery season, with workers at Amazon facilities dotted across the country picketing for better wages, benefits, and working conditions, and a demand that Amazon negotiate with them on a contract.Matthew Carey, Deadline, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Caregivers may be tempted to let kids win or even cheat to avoid meltdowns and tantrums.Stephanie Ganz, Parents, 8 Jan. 2025
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Most significantly, with three other dangerous Bears weapons spread to the right, safety Xavier Woods began cheating in that direction before the play began.Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
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McGahn arranged a memo warning Trump the move could lead to his impeachment.Aysha Bagchi, USA TODAY, 15 Jan. 2025
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One day before TikTok star Deborah Finck died of rare soft tissue cancer, her daughter Katerina arranged a meaningful memory.Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The raptors’ behavior underscores the complex relationship between fire and wildlife, revealing how some species adapt and even manipulate their surroundings to thrive.Scott Travers, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
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China can gather data on Americans or manipulate the content on TikTok to shape U.S. opinion, the government argues.Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near finagle
Cite this Entry
“Finagle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finagle. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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