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 domineering
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of masterful
Allen deftly channels her pain into a masterful portrayal of modern love and loss, and the damaging moments in between.
—
Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2025
It also should be said that the way Bronwyn went about all of this was a masterful bit of Housewifery.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
The masterful shoemakers at Herbert Levine, founded in 1948 and recently revived under the creative aegis of Trevor Houston, have something for every kind of trick-or-treater.
—Air Mail, 1 Nov. 2025
The former first round pick in the 2024 MLB draft had a masterful outing, finishing with 12 strikeouts, which broke Don Newcombe’s rookie record for the most in a World Series start, set in 1949.
—Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for masterful
Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2025
It also should be said that the way Bronwyn went about all of this was a masterful bit of Housewifery.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
The masterful shoemakers at Herbert Levine, founded in 1948 and recently revived under the creative aegis of Trevor Houston, have something for every kind of trick-or-treater.
—Air Mail, 1 Nov. 2025
The former first round pick in the 2024 MLB draft had a masterful outing, finishing with 12 strikeouts, which broke Don Newcombe’s rookie record for the most in a World Series start, set in 1949.
—Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for masterful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for masterful
Adjective
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Kirk Baxter’s arrhythmic cutting is designed around quicksilver shifts that, along with Barry Ackroyd’s restlessly attentive, mostly handheld camerawork, allow Bigelow to redirect our attention with virtuoso command.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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As a young man, he was raised by his domineering father (Charles Dance), who sits with him and teaches him about the sciences.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
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More relevant to this show, Ross also directed the fine 2016 film Captain Fantastic, starring Viggo Mortensen as a domineering father who isolates his six children from society.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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This version of Ryan was arrogant, unable to conceal pride in his accomplishment.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
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So long as that situation continues, the 43-year-old’s allegedly arrogant and stand-offish treatment of his players will not worry the club hierarchy too much.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Kayla Poirier didn’t get the glory that comes associated with scoring a goal, but without a couple skillful touches by the senior, Mahtomedi would no longer have a chance to repeat as state champions.—
Mike Cook,
Twin Cities,
29 Oct. 2025
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The skillful craftsmanship of the artists is amazing, and the story is also great.—
Billboard Japan,
Billboard,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Plus, an expert PEOPLE editor answers the burning question of the week, and one of our favorite stars joins us for a sitdown.—
Staff Author,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
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For full daily and monthly horoscopes as well as expert readings, see our full Horoscopes experience.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Led by a far-right authoritarian government, the country has nevertheless encouraged rooftop and utility-scale solar through a mix of government rebates and relaxed regulations.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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Unlike communism and other authoritarian systems of government, democratic socialists believe in democracy.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
And when daily wear and tear was simulated – through continuous electric-toothbrush abrasion equivalent to about a year of brushing, as well as chewing and grinding – the teeth actually had superior resistance to wear, fracture and acid attack compared with natural enamel.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
5 Nov. 2025
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Instead of settling for 3-pointers, Boozer took the ball hard to the basket in the second half while a Duke team with obviously superior talent to Texas got untracked.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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No army in history seemed ever to have been more ragged and motley and mongrel and polyglot than the Continental, rich and poor, learned and illiterate, from boys to old men, skilled and unskilled, born all over the world, speaking dozens of languages, believing in different gods and in no god.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
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China is increasingly leading the US as the center of global research, and cuts and restrictions on skilled migration are hampering Washington’s fightback.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Masterful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masterful. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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