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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

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masterfulness

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noun

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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
Adjective
While last week’s storm never erupted into thunder, musical lightning struck twice here with yet another exuberant, water-resistant stand by Guerrero on Wednesday, followed by a masterful account of Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 on Friday. Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025 The film is carried by a singular perspective, a talent for writing, for directing, and a masterful sense of framing. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 22 May 2025 Latour was masterful in the pitching circle, twirling a complete-game shutout while scattering four hits and striking out eight in a 4-0 win for D-R. Latour came through at the plate, too, notching two hits and an RBI. Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 12 June 2025 Under a masterful ride from jockey Frankie Dettori, Raging Torrent simply ran them off their feet and rolled home two and a half lengths to the good. Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for masterful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for masterful
Adjective
  • Defending institutions of higher education from increasingly authoritarian measures is an important way to safeguard not only academic freedom, but the legacy of 1776 as well.
    Time, Time, 1 July 2025
  • Even among authoritarian regimes, differences in values can limit cooperation.
    Leon Aron, The Atlantic, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • The protests proved conclusively that Americans will not tolerate the deployment of the U.S. military in American cities, the constant line-stepping over constitutional boundaries, the arrests of political dissenters, or the arrogant defense of police-state tactics.
    Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025
  • In Aesop’s fable, the turtle (traditionally called a tortoise, which is a type of turtle) is a winner, a perpetual underdog who defeats the arrogant hare.
    A.O. Scott, New York Times, 13 June 2025
Adjective
  • Finnegans Wake, in his skillful hands, is a tapestry of all the works Joyce ever wrote, the final and protracted project of a writer who could never stop thinking about Ireland.
    Eric Bulson, The Atlantic, 16 June 2025
  • Their smart, aggressive defense disorients even the smoothest spacing and the most skillful shooters.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 18 May 2025
Noun
  • The local event is part of a yearly nationwide ham radio open house, during which more than 40,000 amateur radio clubs throughout North America set up temporary transmitting stations in public places to demonstrate its science, skill, and service to communities and the nation.
    Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 June 2025
  • Field researchers thrive on a specific set of skills and attributes: resilience, self-reliance, creative problem-solving, and the ability to focus on the moment to decide what needs to be done.
    Sarah Boon June 25, Literary Hub, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • The lines between competitive stubbornness and plain old stubbornness, a healthy arrogance and prideful ignorance are pretty thin.
    Will Graves, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 June 2025
  • Individuals with big egos display excessive pride in their abilities and accomplishments, often leading to arrogance and overconfidence.
    AllBusiness, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
Adjective
  • Do the expert speakers have seats and water at their disposal? Are the speaking notes or teleprompters in place?
    Adrian Dearnell, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • Wing will share practical tools and give expert insight on keeping families safe from online predators, cyber-bullying, digital threats and more.
    Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • Despite his character's domineering presence, Morse told ScreenRant there's more than meets the eye.
    Allison DeGrushe Published, EW.com, 18 June 2025
  • It was then put to Tuchel that the show’s host Adrian Durham has friends who think England would be better off without Bellingham in the team, referring to that domineering personality.
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 13 June 2025
Adjective
  • This can lead to greater customer satisfaction and superior end-user experience—especially in internet-facing domains such as media streaming, Web gaming and trading, which require high performance, real-time response and low-latency connectivity.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • With superior high-carbon stainless steel blades, this knife set offers top-notch accuracy and precision.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Masterful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masterful. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

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