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
• bravura
• practiced
• creative
• ingenious
• clever
• adept
• 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 domineering

fond of ordering people around

a masterful coworker who liked to tell other people how to do their jobs

Synonyms & Similar Words

• domineering
• authoritarian
• authoritative
• arrogant
• commanding
• aggressive
• proud
• tyrannical
• imperious
• autocratic
• despotic
• overbearing
• dictatorial
• bossy
• controlling
• tyrannous
• peremptory
• superior
• important
• magisterial
• directorial
• stern
• imperial
• regimental
• supercilious
• haughty
• pretentious
• high-hat
• high-and-mighty
• disdainful
• presumptuous
• assumptive
• arbitrary
• assertive
• uppity
• lofty
• fastuous
• huffy
• dictating
• imperative
• lordly
• overweening
• omnipotent
• all-powerful
• narcissistic
• uppish
• highfalutin
• high-handed
• almighty
• pompous
• toplofty
• vain
• self-asserting
• presuming
• conceited
• 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
• 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
• highfalutin
• patronizing
• bombastic
• impudent
• saucy
• self-asserting
• condescending
• bossy
• pontifical
• stiff-necked
• vainglorious
• boastful
• disdainful
• blusterous
• swaggering
• cocky
• uninhibited
• narcissistic
• vain
• hubristic
• snobbish
• egocentric
• snooty
• blustery
• snobby
• pontificating
• egotistic
• impertinent
• conceited
• complacent
• prideful
• self-affected
• egoistic
• extroverted
• bragging
• self-satisfied
• self-complacent
• orgulous
• self-pleased
• brash
• immodest
• unreserved
• braggy
• braggart
• self-centered
• 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
• 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
• skilled
• adept
• proficient
• expert
• experienced
• good
• great
• virtuoso
• masterly
• accomplished
• practiced
• master
• talented
• gifted
• veteran
• complete
• consummate
• educated
• crackerjack
• ace
• professed
• versed
• capable
• crack
• deft
• clever
• competent
• adroit
• efficient
• compleat
• effective
• dexterous
• trained
• polished
• slick
• qualified
• employable
• handy
• workmanlike
• old
• able
• refined
• taught
• effectual
• knowledgeable
• sure-handed
• well-rounded
• fitted
• schooled
• long-term
• fit
• multitalented
• all-around
• habile
• tutored
• multiskilled

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

The letter is 5,961 words of masterful and radical civil rights activism. —Essence, 20 Jan. 2026

Beyond its nostalgic soundtrack and timeless familial themes, the heart of Freaky Friday lies in Curtis and Lohan's undeniable chemistry and masterful performances. —James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Jan. 2026

Throw in the fact that his 4-2-5 scheme, which is masterful at disguising pressure and stopping the run, would make for a natural and necessary fit at USC, where those two things weren’t up to snuff last season. —Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2026

The experience will allow guests to come face-to-face with the legendary beholder Xanathar, which was created by the masterful puppeteers at Jim Henson’s Creature Shop. —Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026

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