1
as in virtuoso
accomplished with trained ability
a masterful performance of a difficult piece for the violin
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in authoritarian
fond of ordering people around
a masterful coworker who liked to tell other people how to do their jobs
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in arrogant
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude
a masterful businesswoman who didn't hesitate to step on a lot of people as she climbed the ladder of success
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in skillful
having or showing exceptional knowledge, experience, or skill in a field of endeavor
a president who was celebrated as a masterful communicator of his administration's policies
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of masterful
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the 1995 Oscar-winning film, Apollo 13, director Ron Howard's masterful love letter to NASA's Apollo program in general and the eponymous space mission in particular.
—
ArsTechnica, 29 June 2025
The greatest military on earth had the weaponry and genius to make the operation a masterful success.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2025
The Belgian master of minimalism and wabi-sabi forever changed the design of sofas, and his way with rough-hewn wood furniture and beams, pale linen, an earthy palette, and a masterful blending of East and West and antique and contemporary are now canonized among professionals.
—Amy Astley, Architectural Digest, 25 June 2025
Gill goes on to justify this support with a masterful century in front of a sell-out crowd on day one.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for masterful
ArsTechnica, 29 June 2025
The greatest military on earth had the weaponry and genius to make the operation a masterful success.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2025
The Belgian master of minimalism and wabi-sabi forever changed the design of sofas, and his way with rough-hewn wood furniture and beams, pale linen, an earthy palette, and a masterful blending of East and West and antique and contemporary are now canonized among professionals.
—Amy Astley, Architectural Digest, 25 June 2025
Gill goes on to justify this support with a masterful century in front of a sell-out crowd on day one.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for masterful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for masterful
Adjective
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Whether Trump's death quelled or accelerated authoritarian forces remains an open question.—
Theo Burman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 July 2025
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All of these factors and their contribution to alienation can foster authoritarian beliefs and individualism.—
Nathan Meyers,
The Conversation,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Her larger-than-life ego and past as a shaman make Player 044 come off as arrogant and selfish, getting under just about everyone's skin.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
4 July 2025
-
In 2022, Ackles joined the cast of Prime Video's The Boys as arrogant superhero Soldier Boy.—
Brianne Tracy,
People.com,
4 July 2025
Adjective
-
But despite those skillful trappings, the story soon feels ponderous.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
11 July 2025
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And there was also skillful attention to the right marketing and distribution details.—
Andrew Tobias,
Vulture,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
Jesse Nelson, store manager at Family Tree Nursery in Shawnee, shared some expert advice for local gardeners on how to keep your annuals healthy when things get hot.—
Tammy Ljungblad,
Kansas City Star,
9 July 2025
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However, such expert predictions should be taken with a grain of salt, as researchers have consistently been surprised by the rapid pace of AI capability advancement.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
Louise Fletcher portrays the domineering head nurse Ratched.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
6 July 2025
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But Agnes can’t stop barking orders, leaving the household staff at a loss over who to listen to — their domineering former boss or the woman signing their paychecks.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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Research has found that active kids develop superior cognitive skills, get better grades, and are more likely to stay on task than kids who are less active.—
Henry Abbott,
The Atlantic,
12 July 2025
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Known and adored for their cushiony insoles and superior arch support, this footwear brand is a top pick for avid walkers, folks with chronic foot pain, and even podiatrists (after all, the founder, Dr. William Mathias Scholl, was one himself).—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
12 July 2025
Adjective
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Noni Madueke is adept at doing the same, arriving on the right wing (with Nkunku himself switching from right to left) before finishing the game on the left during his cameo — as shown below.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
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Sheeraz is also adept at timing; if his foe offers a slight opening, Sheeraz can exploit it and land a powerful strike.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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Jones previously held the position of men’s artistic director of Louis Vuitton, as well as Dior and Fendi.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
13 July 2025
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With music as a core artistic focus, Volga hosts a calendar of live performances both on the rooftop and in its underground music room.—
Michaela Trimble,
Vogue,
13 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Masterful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masterful. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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