Synonyms of masterful

masterful

adjective

ˈma-stər-fəl 

1

as in virtuoso

accomplished with trained ability

a masterful performance of a difficult piece for the violin

Synonyms & Similar Words

• virtuoso
• skillful
• expert
• artistic
• masterly
• delicate
• artful
• deft
• smooth
• adroit
• workmanlike
• dexterous
• practised
• bravura
• dextrous
• practiced
• creative
• ingenious
• adept
• clever
• cunning
• neat
• facile
• adequate
• capable
• competent
• fancy
• able

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• amateur
• artless
• crude
• amateurish
• unprofessional
• rude
• clumsy
• awkward
• ineffective
• unskillful
• ineffectual
• incompetent
• inept
• klutzy

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

• authoritarian
• domineering
• authoritative
• arrogant
• commanding
• aggressive
• proud
• tyrannical
• autocratic
• despotic
• tyrannic
• overbearing
• dictatorial
• imperious
• bossy
• controlling
• tyrannous
• autocratical
• peremptory
• superior
• important
• directorial
• magisterial
• stern
• regimental
• imperial
• supercilious
• haughty
• pretentious
• high-hat
• high-and-mighty
• disdainful
• presumptuous
• assumptive
• arbitrary
• assertive
• uppity
• lofty
• fastuous
• huffy
• dictating
• imperative
• lordly
• overweening
• omnipotent
• all-powerful
• hifalutin
• narcissistic
• uppish
• highfalutin
• high-handed
• pompous
• almighty
• toplofty
• vain
• toploftical
• presuming
• conceited
• self-asserting
• self-assertive
• firm

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• humble
• modest
• unassuming
• meek
• amenable
• obedient
• docile
• tractable
• passive
• indecisive
• compliant
• submissive
• yielding
• irresolute
• acquiescent
• resigned

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

• arrogant
• superior
• important
• cavalier
• dominant
• domineering
• bumptious
• dominating
• supercilious
• high-handed
• pompous
• haughty
• pretentious
• imperious
• hifalutin
• high-and-mighty
• assumptive
• high-hat
• uppish
• presumptuous
• uppity
• magisterial
• proud
• authoritarian
• smug
• sniffy
• huffish
• peremptory
• huffy
• presuming
• lordly
• toplofty
• chesty
• overweening
• self-assertive
• lofty
• toploftical
• patronizing
• highfalutin
• bombastic
• impudent
• saucy
• self-asserting
• condescending
• bossy
• pontifical
• stiff-necked
• vainglorious
• boastful
• egotistical
• disdainful
• blusterous
• swaggering
• cocky
• uninhibited
• narcissistic
• vain
• hubristic
• snobbish
• egocentric
• snooty
• egoistical
• blustery
• snobby
• egotistic
• pontificating
• impertinent
• conceited
• complacent
• prideful
• self-centered
• self-affected
• egoistic
• extroverted
• extraverted
• bragging
• self-satisfied
• orgulous
• self-complacent
• self-pleased
• brash
• immodest
• unreserved
• braggy
• braggart
• self-flattering
• self-applauding
• self-conceited
• self-promoting
• self-loving
• forward
• stuck-up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• humble
• modest
• unpretentious
• lowly
• subdued
• timid
• passive
• diffident
• shrinking
• bashful
• shy
• unobtrusive
• demure
• sheepish
• introverted
• unassuming
• unarrogant
• mousy
• compliant
• deferential
• meek
• submissive
• yielding
• unaggressive
• unassertive
• quiet
• acquiescent
• overmodest
• self-critical
• cringing
• retiring
• mousey
• reserved
• self-doubting
• cowering

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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word masterful distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of masterful are domineering, imperative, imperious, and peremptory. While all these words mean "tending to impose one's will on others," masterful implies a strong personality and ability to act authoritatively.

her masterful personality soon dominated the movement

When could domineering be used to replace masterful?

The words domineering and masterful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, domineering suggests an overbearing or arbitrary manner and an obstinate determination to enforce one's will.

children controlled by domineering parents

When is imperative a more appropriate choice than masterful?

While in some cases nearly identical to masterful, imperative implies peremptoriness arising more from the urgency of the situation than from an inherent will to dominate.

an imperative appeal for assistance

In what contexts can imperious take the place of masterful?

In some situations, the words imperious and masterful are roughly equivalent. However, imperious implies a commanding nature or manner and often suggests arrogant assurance.

an imperious executive used to getting his own way

When is it sensible to use peremptory instead of masterful?

Although the words peremptory and masterful have much in common, peremptory implies an abrupt dictatorial manner coupled with an unwillingness to brook disobedience or dissent.

given a peremptory dismissal

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of masterful

D’Angelo, the neo-soul trailblazer and modern visionary whose three albums were widely acclaimed as masterful works of art, died on Tuesday. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025

Not to mention exciting, unputdownable novels by Quan Barry, Anna North, Adam Johnson, and a selection of compelling and masterful stories by Thomas McGuane. —Julia Hass, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025

Mendoza led a masterful 12-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to regain the lead. —Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025

Just a masterful performance from this elite pass rush. —Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2025

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