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

Dillane, a master of pained introversion, probably would have killed for a close-up. — Demetrios Matheou, HollywoodReporter, 2 Nov. 2026

Edward Olsen is the consumer horticulture specialist and extension master gardener director at Virginia Tech. — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 2 Nov. 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

In an industry obsessed with the next big thing, Ben Bennett has mastered the art of actually seeing what comes next. — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026

And the judges loved the technique, even if the Argentine tango is pretty difficult to master. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2026

Phrases Containing master

• master of ceremonies
• master plan
• past master