This work uses the sliding mode control method to conduct the finite-time synchronization of chaotic systems. The utilized parameter selection principle differs from conventional methods. The designed controller selects the unknown parameters independently from the system model. These parameters enable tracking and prediction of the additional variables that affect the chaotic motion but are difficult to measure. Consequently, the proposed approach avoids the limitations of selecting the unknown parameters that are challenging to measure or modeling the parameters solely within the relevant system. This paper proposes a novel nonsingular terminal sliding surface and demonstrates its finite-time convergence. Then, the adaptive law of unknown parameters is presented. Next, the adaptive sliding mode controller based on the finite-time control idea is proposed, and its finite-time convergence and stability are discussed. Finally, the paper presents numerical simulations of chaotic systems with either the same or different structures, thus verifying the proposed method’s applicability and effectiveness.