1
as in virtuoso
accomplished with trained ability
a masterful performance of a difficult piece for the violin
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of masterful
The masterful update marries the home’s rich heritage with today’s modern conveniences.
—
David Caraccio
updated July 24, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2025
Summary: In his best days with Cleveland, Shane Bieber was masterful.
—Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Cristiana Girelli was masterful for Italy, who reached the semifinals of this competition for the first time since 1997.
—Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 26 July 2025
Now he's made an album of them ‘Just for You’
Cam is masterful at conveying deep feelings in few words.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for masterful
David Caraccio
updated July 24, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2025
Summary: In his best days with Cleveland, Shane Bieber was masterful.
—Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Cristiana Girelli was masterful for Italy, who reached the semifinals of this competition for the first time since 1997.
—Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 26 July 2025
Now he's made an album of them ‘Just for You’
Cam is masterful at conveying deep feelings in few words.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for masterful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for masterful
Adjective
-
Stricter parenting styles include authoritative or authoritarian styles.—
Wendy Wisner,
Parents,
19 Aug. 2025
-
And this matters now more than ever, during a time when universities are dismantling their humanities programs and being pressured into pandering to authoritarian strongmen.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Depicting Americans as arrogant, loud, boorish and demeaning of other cultures, the term has stuck and is still mentioned 60-plus years later.—
Jenny Peters,
Oc Register,
4 Aug. 2025
-
The most radical overhaul of the tax code in our state’s history would require voter approval in November 2026, and that starts by portraying local governments as cartoonishly arrogant, bloated and unaccountable.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 July 2025
Adjective
-
The story follows Winston Smith, a skillful worker rewriting history in the Ministry of Truth, who starts to look back fondly on the days before the Party took over the region of Oceania and implemented their cult of personality devoid of free thought and individuality.—
Robert English,
EW.com,
30 July 2025
-
But the game's structure also allows skillful and/or impatient players to zip to the game's conclusion quite quickly, rushing through the visually inventive bosses that guard the game's major chokepoints.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
16 July 2025
Adjective
-
This story has been updated to include expert comments.—
Matthew Impelli,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Microsoft says it’s developed a prototype AI program that can reverse engineer malware, automating a task usually reserved for expert human security researchers.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Avoid being domineering, but also avoid being stepped on by someone else.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
25 July 2025
-
My Mom Died is a heartbreaking and hilarious recounting of McCurdy’s struggles as a former child actor while dealing with her overbearing, domineering mother.—
Charley Ross,
Glamour,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
The Pura 80 Ultra features a large 1-inch sensor, variable aperture, and dual-periscope zoom system, delivering superior image quality.—
Paul Monckton,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
-
There’s a reason for that; Canadian arenas have superior sightlines for cameras that deliver those moving images through the videoscope.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Among other findings: that Chinese models are catching up to American ones, that corporations are getting on board with AI investment, and that LLMs are becoming more adept at clinical diagnosis.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Newcastle have become adept at delivering open-play crosses to the back post.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Small towns often have some of the best coffee shops, and this one has a fun and artistic twist.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
17 Aug. 2025
-
Known for his thoughtful aesthetic rooted in stealth luxury, Hamilton has managed to create an atmosphere that is at once opulent and inviting, with subtle nods to Scotland’s industrial and artistic heritage woven throughout.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Masterful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masterful. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share