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
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 big shift came a little over a decade ago with Enlightened, HBO’s masterful but underseen series that Dern starred in (winning a Golden Globe and receiving an Emmy nomination), but also co-created and executive produced with Mike White.
—
David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 23 Dec. 2025
This masterful introduction to the Sahara emphasizes connectivity, exchange, and survival amid difficult conditions.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Reiner's masterful pacing plus Aaron Sorkin's script made for a world-class vehicle.
—Julie Hinds, Freep.com, 15 Dec. 2025
Finley, a Notre Dame signee, was masterful for Aledo, tallying 258 yards on nine receptions.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for masterful
David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 23 Dec. 2025
This masterful introduction to the Sahara emphasizes connectivity, exchange, and survival amid difficult conditions.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Reiner's masterful pacing plus Aaron Sorkin's script made for a world-class vehicle.
—Julie Hinds, Freep.com, 15 Dec. 2025
Finley, a Notre Dame signee, was masterful for Aledo, tallying 258 yards on nine receptions.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for masterful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for masterful
Adjective
-
Six points clear of Manchester City and Villa, Arsenal can boast form and — for the first time in a while — fitness, with Declan Rice marking his return to the lineup with a virtuoso two-goal display against Bournemouth.—
Jack Bantock,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
That was a virtuoso performance.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
1 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
That premonition rings true when his parents (Tara Buckman, Geoff Hansen) are slaughtered by a carjacker dressed as Old Saint Nick himself (Charles Dierkop) just hours later, condemning the toddler into further moral compass trauma at an orphanage run by a domineering Mother Superior nun from Hell.—
Huntley Woods,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Dec. 2025
-
Orgon’s only ally is his domineering parade float of a mother, Madame Pernelle (the Bianca del Rio), who sails onto the stage in high dudgeon at the top of the play.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
17 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
A lot of people who are that level of arrogant, there’s also an immense insecurity, right?—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The boy is arrogant, Helen thinks.—
Sadia Shepard,
New Yorker,
11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The 5-11, 187-pound receiver is skillful at running routes and can create separation with his quick feet.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
2 Jan. 2026
-
Mackey does especially skillful work conveying the legibility of Ella’s personal anxiety and political passion.—
Vikram Murthi,
IndieWire,
10 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Ahead, discover the best beanies for women, chosen as a fashion writer of over 10 years, along with expert advice on caring for and styling your new topper.—
Alison Syrett Cleary,
InStyle,
9 Jan. 2026
-
De Laurentiis took all the chaos in stride and was the expert judge for the cooking portion of the outrageous lineup of competitions.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Seizures of National Park protected land, destruction of our White House, massive banners of his photo draped on the Department of Labor and USDA buildings — please tell me how Trump’s authoritarian actions are any different from Vladimir Putin or Saddam Hussein?—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Yet the president told The New York Times on Wednesday that US oversight of Venezuela could last for years, following its toppling of the country’s authoritarian leader, Nicolás Maduro.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
However, there's no strong evidence suggesting that strength-training in a fasted state is superior to training in a fed state for muscle growth or performance.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Neither assurance of German manufacture nor of superior sound quality sufficed to get the bills back into the salesman’s palm.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Collaborating with industry leaders, academic institutions and others to ensure Iowa develops a skilled workforce for the growing nuclear energy sector.—
Marissa Payne,
Des Moines Register,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The only problem is that Mason Graham, Carson Schwesinger, Quinshon Judkins and Harold Fannin aren’t skilled at throwing passes or blocking defensive linemen.—
Jason Lloyd,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Masterful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masterful. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share