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Definition of finagle

finagle

/fɪˈneɪ.ɡəl/
fi · na · gle
Past Simple:finagled
•
Past Participle:finagled
•
Present Participle:finagling
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finagle Lexical Profile

finagle Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

North American To obtain, achieve, or arrange something by means of shrewd manipulation, persuasion, or devious methods.

Example

"She managed to finagle two front-row tickets to the sold-out concert by charming the box office manager."

2

North American To act in a devious, scheming, or dishonest manner; to use trickery or deceit to get one's way.

Example

"He is always trying to finagle out of doing his fair share of the household chores."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for finagle

• Nearby Words

fimi river
fin
fin whale
finagle
finagler
final
finale

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the 1920s, likely an alteration of the British dialectal verb 'fainaigue' (meaning to renege at cards or resort to trickery), itself of uncertain origin.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Finagle. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/finagle
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