Synonyms of master

master 1 of 3

noun

ˈma-stər 

1

as in expert

a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field

a master at chess

Synonyms & Similar Words

• expert
• scholar
• adept
• virtuoso
• wizard
• guru
• artist
• authority
• maestro
• specialist
• proficient
• ace
• connoisseur
• consultant
• past master
• professional
• hotshot
• meister
• whiz
• fiend
• geek
• maven
• hand
• crackerjack
• craftsman
• dab hand
• shark
• sharp
• enthusiast
• fan
• pro
• dab
• cognoscente
• mistress
• devotee
• journeyman
• addict
• hired gun
• aficionado
• buff
• jack-of-all-trades
• Renaissance man
• all-rounder

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• amateur
• apprentice
• novice
• beginner
• neophyte
• nonexpert
• layman
• inexpert
• dilettante
• dabbler
• nonprofessional

2

as in winner

one that defeats an enemy or opponent

little did the tennis pro know that his new student would someday become his master

Synonyms & Similar Words

• winner
• conqueror
• champion
• victor
• vanquisher
• whipper
• beater
• subduer
• ruler
• trimmer
• champ
• placer
• dominator
• finalist
• top dog
• subjugator
• overdog

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• loser
• failure
• washout
• flop
• punching bag
• pushover
• quitter
• underdog

3

as in leader

the person (as an employer or supervisor) who tells people and especially workers what to do

I'm the master of this operation, and you'll do what I say

Synonyms & Similar Words

• leader
• boss
• foreman
• chief
• captain
• commander
• director
• lord
• manager
• head
• administrator
• overseer
• taskmaster
• supervisor
• helmsman
• superintendent
• boss man
• kingpin
• headman
• executive
• mistress
• honcho
• president
• steward
• governor
• principal
• jefe
• king
• ruler
• general
• overlord
• superior
• employer
• prince
• skipper
• sovereign
• directress
• dominator
• baron
• straw boss
• leadman
• czar
• potentate
• standard-bearer
• magnate
• mogul
• figurehead
• big gun
• hierarch
• higher-up
• top dog
• top gun
• bigwig
• big cheese
• ganger
• gaffer
• coleader
• cohead
• micromanager
• subchief
• subdirector

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• secondary
• subject
• dependent
• subordinate
• junior
• underling
• inferior

master

2 of 3

adjective

1

as in main

coming before all others in importance

thought of themselves as belonging to humanity's master race

Synonyms & Similar Words

• main
• greatest
• primary
• highest
• dominant
• foremost
• predominant
• first
• leading
• chief
• big
• key
• supreme
• principal
• central
• cardinal
• paramount
• premier
• sovereign
• great
• overriding
• prior
• primal
• overbearing
• grand
• preeminent
• distinguished
• capital
• top
• number one
• major
• outstanding
• overmastering
• eminent
• senior
• illustrious
• superior
• prestigious
• high-level
• arch
• signal
• numero uno
• stellar
• important
• notable
• star
• noteworthy
• noble
• influential
• mighty
• incomparable
• unparalleled
• renowned
• famed
• famous
• unsurpassed
• unequaled
• matchless
• significant
• momentous
• celebrated

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• least
• last
• minor
• secondary
• slight
• trivial
• negligible
• subordinate
• unimportant
• insignificant
• inferior
• trifling
• collateral
• inconsequential
• inconsiderable
• subsidiary

2

as in skilled

having or showing exceptional knowledge, experience, or skill in a field of endeavor

a master craftsman who makes fine wood furniture of his own designs

Synonyms & Similar Words

• skilled
• skillful
• adept
• expert
• proficient
• experienced
• good
• practiced
• virtuoso
• masterful
• accomplished
• great
• complete
• veteran
• talented
• consummate
• masterly
• gifted
• educated
• ace
• professed
• crack
• versed
• crackerjack
• capable
• trained
• compleat
• competent
• employable
• qualified
• taught
• old
• clever
• efficient
• deft
• effective
• handy
• adroit
• able
• dexterous
• polished
• slick
• schooled
• refined
• fitted
• knowledgeable
• workmanlike
• effectual
• fit
• long-term
• sure-handed
• well-rounded
• tutored
• habile
• multitalented
• all-around
• multiskilled

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• amateur
• unskilled
• incapable
• unable
• incompetent
• inexperienced
• inexpert
• weak
• unqualified
• unfit
• unskillful
• unfitted
• inept
• amateurish
• unprofessional
• unseasoned
• crude
• would-be
• artless
• new
• inefficient
• ineffective
• rude
• jackleg
• ineffectual
• beginning
• ignorant
• untrained
• green
• unschooled
• inexperienced
• untaught
• untutored
• untalented
• raw
• primitive
• untested
• untried
• rough
• unseasoned
• talentless
• ungifted
• clumsy
• unpolished
• awkward
• heavy-handed
• ham-fisted
• ham-handed

master

3 of 3

verb

1

as in to defeat

to achieve a victory over

finally mastered her longtime opponent at chess

Synonyms & Similar Words

• defeat
• overcome
• beat
• worst
• best
• take
• conquer
• dispatch
• get
• stop
• subdue
• lick
• succeed
• win (against)
• get the better of
• surmount
• get around
• triumph (over)
• prevail (over)
• trim
• overbear
• upend
• do down
• overmatch
• finish
• skunk
• sweep
• bury
• excel
• surpass
• overwhelm
• whip
• knock for a loop
• better
• slaughter
• blow out
• crush
• nose out
• blow away
• score
• snow under
• top
• exceed
• annihilate
• rout
• cream
• clobber
• vanquish
• edge (out)
• skin
• bomb
• overthrow
• flourish
• subjugate
• upset
• pip
• thrash
• transcend
• outdo
• cap
• break
• drub
• overpower
• smoke
• trounce
• flatten
• knock over
• wax
• eclipse
• wallop
• outshine
• unseat
• shellac
• outstrip
• knock off
• outdistance
• ace (out)
• outfight
• overtop

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lose (to)
• fall
• go down
• fail
• give up
• go under
• fold
• collapse
• wash out
• flunk
• flop

2

as in to learn

to acquire complete knowledge, understanding, or skill in

I think I've mastered algebra at last

Synonyms & Similar Words

• learn
• get
• understand
• know
• discover
• grasp
• see
• study
• pick up
• hear
• comprehend
• apprehend
• memorize
• get the hang of
• detect
• track (down)
• ascertain
• assimilate
• absorb
• determine
• examine
• digest
• run down
• discern
• drink (in)
• find out
• search (for)
• hit (on or upon)
• tumble (to)
• imbibe
• unearth
• dig up
• descry
• scare up
• major (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• forget
• unlearn
• miss
• ignore
• overlook
• disregard
• misunderstand
• neglect

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of master

Noun

Emanuel’s grades were always bad, especially compared to those of his brothers, who went on to earn master’s degrees at Northwestern University (Rahm) and the University of Oxford (Zeke). — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 21 Sep. 2026

He’s been described as a master manipulator and strategist able to play the long game to keep people—or a narrative—under his control. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026

Adjective

The new board will comprise 11 master sommeliers, plus four non-master sommelier members. — Esther Mobley, SFChronicle.com, 12 Nov. 2020

The interior features high ceilings, custom millwork, and walnut floors and paneling, and the master suite has his-and-her baths and closets, a sitting area, and a balcony. — TheWeek, 27 June 2020

Verb

Extending lifespan dramatically would require mastering many of them simultaneously. — Venki Ramakrishnan, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2026

Intentional innovation is the competitive advantage every organization needs to master to withstand disruption and thrive in business today. — Robbie Morrison, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing master

• master of ceremonies
• master plan
• past master