masterwork

noun

mas·​ter·​work ˈma-stər-ˌwərk How to pronounce masterwork (audio)
Synonyms of masterworknext

Examples of masterwork in a Sentence

his most famous novel is regarded as a masterwork of Western literature
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Culturally, populism spoke to a tension between the taste found in metropolitan centers and that of people in small towns across the country, pitting (for instance) classical opera and European masterwork exhibitions against folk traditions in art, dancing, and music. Katy Siegel, Artforum, 2 June 2026 Celebrate Black Music Month, a Central Florida Sounds of Freedom milestone, the hits of legendary artists or a classical masterwork in June. Matthew J. Palm, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 June 2026 Communicate like a human being The Meta email was a masterwork of legal precision and human vacancy. Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026 The attendees at the British Museum cocktail party, surrounded by masterworks of 20th-century art, couldn’t help but gush about one single gallery show on view in New York City. Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for masterwork

Word History

First Known Use

1617, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of masterwork was in 1617

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Cite this Entry

“Masterwork.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/masterwork. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.

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