1
as in virtuoso
accomplished with trained ability
a masterful performance of a difficult piece for the violin
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of masterful
Julia Garner will no doubt garner applause for her masterful Criterion Closet picks, ranging from auteurs Spike Lee to Bong Joon Ho.
—
Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 7 Mar. 2025
From Broderick Turner: James Harden was masterful in pouring in 50 points for a Clippers team that once again has endured a slew of injuries at the most inopportune time.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2025
Three members of the ‘Crab Five’ delivered the flavor
Queen, the freshman from Baltimore, was masterful in the second half for Maryland, scoring 13 of his points in the period.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 1 Mar. 2025
Made with petroleum jelly, the thick emollient is masterful at locking in moisture, which helps build a protective barrier so her skin can heal.
—Jihan Forbes, Allure, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for masterful
Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 7 Mar. 2025
From Broderick Turner: James Harden was masterful in pouring in 50 points for a Clippers team that once again has endured a slew of injuries at the most inopportune time.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2025
Three members of the ‘Crab Five’ delivered the flavor
Queen, the freshman from Baltimore, was masterful in the second half for Maryland, scoring 13 of his points in the period.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 1 Mar. 2025
Made with petroleum jelly, the thick emollient is masterful at locking in moisture, which helps build a protective barrier so her skin can heal.
—Jihan Forbes, Allure, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for masterful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for masterful
Adjective
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They are also seen as sharing a joint interest in diminishing the role of the U.S. and other liberal democracies in determining world events in favor of their own highly authoritarian systems.—
Christopher Bodeen,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2025
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In this way, democratic parenting is markedly different from both permissive parenting and authoritarian parenting.—
Miranda Rake,
Parents,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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So this kind of parallel can easily be drawn between Iran and other countries, [including those with] an arrogant isolation program, definitely.—
Georg Szalai,
The Hollywood Reporter,
13 Mar. 2025
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One of the targets of his reign of terror is arrogant Judge Stefan Mortensen, played by Oscar-winning actor Geoffrey Rush admitted to the facility after being left partially paralyzed after a stroke.—
Simon Thompson,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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This skillful painting by Sophie Zhou, a junior at The Kincaid School, was sold for a record $276,000 at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo's school art competition auction.—
Shafaq Patel,
Axios,
19 Mar. 2025
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This hints that, yes, skillful storytellers may actually live longer.—
Ron Shachar,
Scientific American,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Several legendary fictional detectives have been expert game players and puzzle solvers.—
Sarah Larson,
The New Yorker,
21 Mar. 2025
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Today, an internet connection opens up a world of free and affordable learning—from YouTube channels dedicated to sharing expert knowledge to podcasts and digital libraries packed with nonfiction titles ready to download to a Kindle or other e-reader.—
David Nikel,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Since then, he’s portrayed a colorful collection of characters, from a domineering theater owner in Shakespeare in Love to Pirates of the Caribbean’s villain turned hero, Captain Hector Barbossa.—
airmail.news,
airmail.news,
8 Mar. 2025
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All the while, his domineering mother Bunny (played by the late Frances Sternhagen) is determined to stay the number one woman in her son's life.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
EW.com,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Lululemon’s Glow Up Super-High-Rise Tight is superior to others in many ways.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
14 Mar. 2025
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However, comparative studies have found that alternatives like pumpkin seed oil and linoleic acid offer superior hydration.—
Boutayna Chokrane,
WIRED,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In many ways, the Fords were proto-Trumps, proving adept at turning private scandal into surprising public popularity.—
Chris Jones,
The Atlantic,
14 Mar. 2025
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The mere act of displaying a series of steps should not be confused with being adept at choosing steps and making sure that the appropriate steps are being utilized.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Bernstein, an outspoken American Jewish conductor renowned for iconic compositions like West Side Story and Candide, was widely admired for his artistic genius and fervent political activism, including marching with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr during the 1960s.—
Court Stroud,
Forbes,
16 Mar. 2025
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But the types of artistic mediums that the series uses to portray Lumon varies and evolves, as the company itself finds new opportunities to convey its message to employees.—
Abigail Lee,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Masterful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masterful. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
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