as in masterpiece
something (as a work of art) that is a great achievement and often its creator's greatest achievement
this symphony is usually considered Beethoven's magnum opus
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Recent Examples of magnum opus
Jordan, who many feel had his magnum opus with this portrayal of the twins, left without an acting trophy in both ceremonies; a familiar pattern for actors of color.
—
Okla Jones, Essence, 22 Jan. 2026
Paul Thomas Anderson’s magnum opus, One Battle After Another, continued its winning streak Sunday night, picking up four trophies at the Golden Globes and cementing its status as the front-runner in the Oscar race.
—Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026
Incorporating gorgeous long takes and occasionally extended running times — his magnum opus Sátántangó ran more than seven hours — Tarr depicted the human condition as one of intense suffering, but also one filled with immeasurable bleak beauty.
—Tim Grierson, Rolling Stone, 6 Jan. 2026
Nonetheless, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi also owes a debt of gratitude to its Bilbao predecessor, a building considered by many to be Gehry’s magnum opus.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for magnum opus
Okla Jones, Essence, 22 Jan. 2026
Paul Thomas Anderson’s magnum opus, One Battle After Another, continued its winning streak Sunday night, picking up four trophies at the Golden Globes and cementing its status as the front-runner in the Oscar race.
—Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026
Incorporating gorgeous long takes and occasionally extended running times — his magnum opus Sátántangó ran more than seven hours — Tarr depicted the human condition as one of intense suffering, but also one filled with immeasurable bleak beauty.
—Tim Grierson, Rolling Stone, 6 Jan. 2026
Nonetheless, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi also owes a debt of gratitude to its Bilbao predecessor, a building considered by many to be Gehry’s magnum opus.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for magnum opus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for magnum opus
masterpiece
Noun
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Luka Doncic’s 44-point masterpiece — without playing the fourth quarter — propelled the Lakers past the Pacers 128-117.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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Also, Heath Ledger and Christopher Nolan were the ones who made The Dark Knight a masterpiece.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Magnum opus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/magnum%20opus. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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